Bathinda: Leaders and workers of the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) jointly staged protests in several parts of Punjab on Tuesday against the rejection of nomination papers of candidates for municipal corporation and municipal council elections. They alleged political interference by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
AAP MP refutes allegations
Aam Aadmi Party MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, who is spearheading the party campaign in Barnala, refuted the claims, stating that they had not exerted any pressure on anyone to reject nomination papers. "The administration must have acted freely as per merit," he said.
Opposition intensifies protests
Despite the denial, the opposition escalated its attack. Joint protests by Congress, BJP, and SAD leaders were held at Barnala and Malout in Muktsar district, while Congress and SAD separately staged demonstrations in Bathinda. Similar protests also took place in Muktsar.
The protests intensified after the rejection of nomination papers of BJP candidate Rajni Rani from Ward 31 in Barnala late Monday night.
BJP candidate's papers rejected
Rajni Rani's husband Joginder Pal alleged that the nomination papers were initially cleared on Monday evening but were later rejected. "Earlier on Monday evening we were told that the nomination papers had been found correct and approved, but after 11:30 pm we learnt that they had been rejected," he said.
Following the rejection, Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhillon joined BJP Barnala district president Yadwinder Shunty, SAD Barnala in-charge Kulwant Singh, and rebel AAP leader Gurdeep Singh Baath in a protest outside the Barnala deputy commissioner's office.
After being removed from outside the office, the protesters blocked the road outside the district administrative complex. Police later dispersed them from the site.
Cross-party unity
Dhillon said leaders had risen above party lines to oppose the "highhandedness." "Even though the papers rejected were of a BJP candidate, we decided to protest together against the manner in which this was done," he said.
Later, leaders of the three parties held a meeting at Aggarwal Dharamshala in Barnala, where former Union minister Vijay Sampla accused the AAP government of targeting opposition candidates to ensure victories for ruling party nominees.
Bandh announced
The parties also announced a Barnala bandh on May 20 from 8 am to 2 pm and appealed to residents to assemble at the railway station at 8 am.
Protests in other areas
In Bathinda, Congress district president Rajan Garg alleged that nomination papers of six Congress candidates had been rejected. Congress workers staged a protest outside the deputy commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum to DC Rajesh Dhiman.
At Malout, leaders and workers of different parties took out a protest march, while political workers staged a sit-in at Muktsar.
Barnala DC Harpreet Singh and ADC Vivek Kumar Modi could not be contacted despite repeated calls and messages.
AAP maintains stance
Aam Aadmi Party MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, who is spearheading the party campaign in Barnala, denied putting any pressure regarding the rejection of nomination papers of any candidate. He reiterated that the administration must have acted freely as per merit.
