Punjab BJP accuses AAP of manipulating urban local body polls, seeks Governor's intervention
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of misusing state machinery and undermining the electoral process in the recent urban local body elections.
The BJP's state president, Kewal Singh Dhillon, submitted a memorandum to the Governor, seeking immediate intervention to safeguard constitutional norms and democratic institutions. He alleged that the AAP manipulated ward delimitation, intimidated opposition candidates, and snatched nomination papers to prevent them from contesting.
Mr. Dhillon also claimed that despite lacking a majority in several civic bodies, the AAP government was installing its nominees as mayors and council presidents through administrative manipulation. He cited the Abohar Municipal Corporation as an example, where the BJP claimed a majority of 28 councillors and one MLA against AAP's 20, yet the administration declared an AAP candidate as mayor, leading to protests and postponement of the election.
The BJP delegation presented documentary evidence to the Governor. The Governor's office has not yet issued a statement on the matter. The AAP government has not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
