Murder of democracy, alleges Partap Singh Bajwa and Raja Warring
PHAGWARA: In a dramatic turn of events the congress party faced defeat in the Mayoral elections held in Auditorium in Phagwara on Saturday Evening. AAP which was 10 short of majority won the election of Mayor by way of horse trading.
Though Justic Harbans Lal(Retd) attended the election meeting as Observer appointed by High Court and presided by Divisional Commissioner Jalandhar Arun Sekhri along with Municipal Corporation Commissioner Navneet Kaur Bal. AAP Councilor Ravi Kumar who was appointed Presiding Officer announced the victory of AAP and AAP Councilor Ram Paul Uppal as Mayor in 26-24 ratio of votes. After announcing the Mayor all officials immediately left the venue.
AAP Lok Sabha Member Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal and AAP Punjab President Aman Arora remained present in a hotel while Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Raja Warring and senior leader Partap Singh Bajwa remained present in Phagwara.
Dhol Dhamaka was started by AAP activists immediate after the announcement who were seen in different roads in joyous mood.
On the other hand all congress councilors led by Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal were seen agitating while coming out from the Rest House(Auditorium).
While talking to selective journalists, Dhaliwal in the presence of all congress councilors including Mayor Candidate Sanjeev Bugga alleged that after oath ceremony of two remaining councilors Davinder Sapra and his Wife Rupali Sapra the proceeding was started and Divisional Commissioner appointed AAP MC Ravi Kumar for further proceedings. One Congress Councilor Gurpreet Kaur Jandu did not attended the meeting.
Dhaliwal said firstly congress MCs were asked to raise their hands in support of the congress candidate Bugga and the counted number was 26. Dhaliwal said that due to absent of one councilor the number of present MCs were 49 besides one vote of Dhaliwal himself as MLA.
Dhaliwal explained that later Presiding Officer asked the councilors to raise the hand in support of AAP Mayor Candidate Ram Pal Uppal. Dhaliwal alleged that out of total 50 voters 26 had voted in support of Bugga so the remaining number was automatically 24 but the presiding officer declared that Uppal got 26 votes. The meeting was ended amidst heavy “Shor Sharaba”.
Though Dhaliwal claimed that no election were held for Sr Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor but AAP Leaders announced that BSP MC Tej Pal Basra was elected Sr Deputy Mayor and AAP MC Vikki Sood was elected Deputy Mayor.
Later Partap Singh Bajwa, Raja Warring and BS Dhaliwal described today’s episode as murder of democracy.
Dhaliwal alleged that despite High Court’s order nothing could be done transparently even Observer did not comment anything.
Dhaliwal reiterated that he will again knock the doors of Judiciary either High Court or Supreme Court to get justice. congress leaders alleged that it was direct forceful influence of AAP government and defying the orders of high court.