Gurdaspur,
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh held a roadshow here as the campaigning for the bypoll ended today.

He was accompanied by AICC Punjab incharge Asha Kumari, Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa and AICC general secretary Harish Chaudhary.

The roadshow, however, hasn’t gone down well with the SAD-BJP alliance, which has complained to the Election Commission (EC) claiming that the CM’s cavalcade comprised more than 100 vehicles when it was covering the Pathankot leg.

According to the EC, not more than three vehicles can be a part of the cavalcade during campaigning.

Observer NBS Rajout confirmed having received the complaint. He said Returning Officer (RO) GS Sidhu would take the final call.

Sidhu said he had asked for a detailed report.

The complaint was filed by SAD spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema based on video and photographic evidence.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president, said: “The EC should take immediate cognisance of the matter.”

Last week, the SAD-BJP alliance had submitted a list of “pro-Congress” officers to the EC and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab.

“There is not a level-playing field. The election observer, instead of asking the RO to act, should have taken a decision himself,” Cheema said. The CM speaking from atop his custom-designed bus, said: “My reading of the situation is that Sunil Jakhar will win by more than 2 lakh votes.”

Sukhbir reacted by saying it was Chief Minister’s wishful thinking. “Capt Amarinder has lost contact with the masses. Swaran Salaria (BJP candidate) is sure to romp home by a decent margin,” he claimed.

‘Cakewalk for Jakhar’
Amarinder claimed that Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar will win by more than two lakh votes. “The sentiment is in favour of the Congress as we have initiated a lot of welfare schemes during our six-month rule. The SAD-BJP candidate stands nowhere while AAP has remained a non-entity,” said the CM during his roadshow. He claimed that his government had not only implemented many of its poll promises, but also set the ball rolling to bring the state economy back on track.

Congress misusing official machinery, claims Sukhbir

Gurdaspur: Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday alleged that the civil and police officers were coercing panches, sarpanches and municipal councillors to vote for Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar. Sukhbir, who addressed at least six gatherings here, alleged that it was condemnable that BDPOs, executive officers of municipal committees and SHOs were ringing up sarpanches and councilors, threatening them that cases would be initiated against them in case they supported BJP candidate Swaran Salaria. In a separate statement, Sukhbir said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s allegation against BJP president Amit Shah’s son was a manifestation of the Congress scion’s political frustration. He said the charges had been timed in view of the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

Revolt in Chhotepur’s APP as two leaders support Salaria

Chandigarh: A section of Sucha Singh Chhotepur’s Aapna Punjab Party on Monday openly revolted against the party decision to stay “non-committal” in the upcoming Gurdaspur Lok Sabha byelection. In a press conference, two senior leaders of the party, general secretary HS Kingra and senior vice-president RR Bhardwaj, on Monday announced to support BJP candidate Swaran Salaria.