Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira launched a scathing attack on Punjab State Election Commissioner (SEC) Raj Kamal Chaudhry on Sunday, condemning what he termed as "gross incompetence" and an "abject surrender" of the constitutional body during the ongoing block samiti and zila parishad elections.
Allegations of Constitutional Failure
In a strongly-worded written statement, the legislator from Bholath constituency accused the SEC under Chaudhry's leadership of reducing itself to a "mute spectator" while democracy is being brazenly murdered. Khaira expressed profound sadness on behalf of the Congress and all opposition parties over the commission's conduct during what he described as the Bhagwant Mann government's "blatant loot of democracy."
Inaction on Police Audio and Complaints
The Congress leader highlighted specific instances to back his allegations. He pointed to the leaked audio involving the Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), which allegedly revealed instructions to abduct candidates at the behest of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs. Instead of taking stern action, Khaira claimed, the SEC shockingly handed a "free licence" to the police to falsely implicate opposition leaders like SAD's Sukhbir Badal and independent journalist Rattandeep Dhaliwal on fabricated charges.
Khaira detailed his own efforts to seek redressal, stating he had emailed at least 10 detailed complaints regarding the wrongful rejection of Congress candidates in Bholath and the alleged terror unleashed by Kapurthala police on party candidates. "Not even a single action was taken," he stated, calling the SEC's silence both condemnable and complicit.
Personal Attack on the Commissioner
The MLA's criticism turned personal as he accused Raj Kamal Chaudhry of behaving not as a constitutional authority but as a "stooge and mouthpiece of the AAP". He alleged that Chaudhry was primarily interested in enjoying the perks of his office—a hefty salary, official car, bungalow, security, and privileges—while utterly failing in his duty to safeguard democratic processes.
"This behaviour shows Chaudhry is completely devoid of moral conscience. He betrayed the very Constitution he was appointed to protect," Khaira remarked. He concluded that the Commissioner's tenure had contributed to converting Punjab into a "police state", where the ruling regime is allowed to openly rig elections with impunity.
Attempts to reach State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhry for his comments on the allegations did not yield a response, as calls made to his phone went unanswered.
