Tag: Akali Dal

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Poll panel warns Akali Dal, AAP

AAP had lodged a complaint with the poll panel against Sukhbir accusing him of violating ECI directions by making A child raise slogans in favour of his party during election campaigning…reports Asian Lite News

Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Thursday took decisive action against political parties found in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Following directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI), warnings have been issued to both the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for their respective transgressions.

One of the key infractions involved the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) utilizing the derogatory phrase “Delhi ke Dalal” in a campaign video targeting AAP’s state convener and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, as well as AAP candidates. Such language, deemed inflammatory and violative of MCC guidelines, was promptly removed by the SAD after receiving the warning.

Additionally, the use of children in election rallies, notably during the campaign of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, has also drawn censure. Reports from Ludhiana’s Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer highlighted this breach, prompting a stern reminder from the electoral authorities regarding the prohibition of involving children in political campaigns. The SAD has been duly cautioned to adhere strictly to MCC guidelines henceforth.

Notably, AAP had lodged a complaint with the poll panel against Sukhbir accusing him of violating ECI directions by making A child raise slogans in favour of his party during election campaigning. The complaint alleged that Sukhbir had passed the microphone to the child and made him raise slogans of ‘Shiromani Akali Dal Zindabad’ and ‘Vote for Akali Dal’ during his ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’ at Raikot on April 6.

Meanwhile, the ruling AAP also faced reprimand for its online content, notably posts and videos such as ‘Unsacred Games of Punjab’. Such materials were flagged for their potential to incite discord or violate the MCC.

Furthermore, the casteist remarks attributed to the state Cabinet Minister and AAP’s candidate from Khadoor Sahib Laljit Singh Bhullar were condemned as clear violations of electoral conduct standards. Reports from Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer corroborated these findings, leading to a formal warning issued to AAP.

Notably, on April 13, Bhullar, in his speech during his election campaign at Patti, allegedly ridiculed members of the Ramgarhia and Suniyar communities, calling them “Ghuli gharh”. Following this, complaints were sent to the ECI, against the Minister by both Shiromani Akali Dal and Ramgarhia Singh Sabha, Tarn Taran.

About a fortnight later, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had offered an apology for Bhullar’s “casteist remarks”. Following widespread condemnation, Mann had taken a firm stance during a campaign rally for Bhullar in Patti emphasizing AAP’s commitment to inclusive politics and stressed the need for Bhullar to issue an unconditional apology. Mann, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, had offered his own apology as the head of the party, reiterating AAP’s dedication to governance based on meritocracy and devoid of discrimination.

Both AAP and SAD have been directed to desist from further breaches of the mode code of conduct, and to conduct their campaigns in strict adherence to the guidelines set forth by the Election Commission of India. The warnings underscored the commitment of electoral authorities to uphold the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, ensuring that campaigns remain focused on issues rather than resorting to divisive rhetoric or unethical tactics.

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India News Politics Punjab

Mann Challenges BJP, Akali Dal, and Congress for Punjab Debate

The Chief Minister said these leaders have ample of time to prepare for this debate, adding they can make as many notes as they want defend themselves…reports Asian Lite News

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday challenged the Opposition for a debate on issues pertaining to the state on November 1.

The Chief Minister said the hands and souls of Opposition leaders — BJP’s Sunil Jakhar, Akali Dal’s Sukhbir Badal and Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring — are drenched with blood of the state as they have betrayed Punjab and its people.

He said the people can never forgive them for their sins against Punjab.

Mann asked these leaders to prepare well for the proposed debate on Punjab Day where he will expose them badly for their misdeeds.

The Chief Minister said the debate will be centered around who and how Punjab has been looted till now, nepotism, favouritism, toll plazas, youth, agriculture, trade-shopkeepers, Gurbani, river waters and others.

He said they have deceived Punjab on all these issues for which they are answerable to the people of state.

Mann dared them to participate in this open debate before Punjabis and the media.

The Chief Minister said these leaders have ample of time to prepare for this debate, adding they can make as many notes as they want defend themselves.

However, Mann said as he will speak only the truth so he needs no paper for help and he will participate in debate without any paper.

He asked the leaders to do as much cramming as they want because ultimately he will uncover all their misdeeds during debate.

SAD Accuses Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann of SYL Canal Betrayal

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of pushing Punjab to the same spot it was at four decades ago on the issue of the SYL canal which subsequently took state into a black era in which it suffered a lot.

It asked Mann to be ready for debate outside his home on October 10 instead of waiting till November 1 as SAD leadership will visit his home under leadership of party President Sukhbir Badal.

SAD spokesman Arshdeep Singh Kler told the media here it was amusing to note that after reaching state from stage, Mann was again trying to reach stage from state as he has realized that people of the state have understood his betrayal of Punjab because of his decision to hand over state to Delhi leadership, including AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, simply to exploit Punjab exchequer to expand the party in other states at the expense of his state.

He said the stand takeb by Mann on the SYL issue in the Supreme Court was a part of record in which Punjab counsel has accepted that government was willing to construct the canal but opposition from Opposition parties and difficulty in re-acquiring the land which has been given back to farmers by SAD government led by Parkash Singh Badal was a big hurdle in the matter.

Kler said the apex court order was officially welcomed by the AAP government and its spokesman spoke in favour of survey by the Centre. He said when the AAP government felt that it has been exposed completely now, the Chief Minister was trying to divert attention of people of the state by a tweet challenging Opposition parties.

He asked the Chief Minister why to wait for November 1 as SAD leaders under leadership of Sukhbir Badal will be visiting the Chief Minister’s residence where he should be ready for debate on Punjab issues.

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India News Politics

Attempts to divide Punjab on communal lines: Akali Dal

Bains said AAP and the Congress have realised that they have lost the election already but this has driven to the desperate, last minute resort to playing the Hindu-Sikh communal card…reports Asian Lite News

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday warned against attempts by the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to “divide Punjab through communal polarisation”.

“Both the Congress and the AAP are making a last minute attempt to derail the narrative of peace, communal harmony and development as they have been stunned by the mounting surge of Akali wave as the polling date draws closer,” Harcharan Bains, Principal Advisor to Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal, said.

“This is what lies at the root of their mutually orchestrated conspiracies to inject a new communal element into the campaign. But the SAD-BSP will not allow any attempts at communal polarisation to succeed,” he said in a statement.

Bains said the reason behind this swing towards communal polarisation is that AAP’s “social media bubble” has suddenly burst. The bubble was created by pumping in thousands of crores into a massive publicity and propaganda campaign through fake news and fake surveys.

But now the realisation has dawned on them that these ploys have not been able to stop the SAD-BSP upsurge.

Bains said AAP and the Congress have realised that they have lost the election already but this has driven to the desperate, last minute resort to playing the Hindu-Sikh communal card.

Asserting that attempts to divide Punjabis will never be allowed to succeed, Bains said, “Punjab is another name for human brotherhood where the dominant communities Hindus and Sikhs have always coexisted in mutual love and trust with Muslims and Christians. No one will be able to divide us.”

In the fray for 117 seats in Punjab are three prominent parties — the ruling Congress, the opposition Aam Aadmi Party and the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha, and two alliances — the SAD-BSP and the BJP-Punjab Lok Congress.

Punjab will go to the polls in a single phase on February 20 and the counting of ballots will take place on March 10.

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India News Politics

‘Alliance with Akali Dal in Punjab cost BJP heavily’

He claimed that a new political situation is developing in Punjab and in this, with new alliance partners and people joining the party, the BJP will go up and up…reports Asian Lite News

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that he “personally” feels that alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab had cost the BJP heavily.

Puri, the BJP election co-incharge for Punjab, said: “It is my personal view that our alliance in the past had cost us heavily in many ways. Today with the people who are joining us, we will take Punjab on a fast path of development.”

He said that earlier in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, the BJP used to contest 22-23 seats and won three seats in last Assembly polls but now the party has left with just two MLA and five per cent vote share.

He claimed that a new political situation is developing in Punjab and in this, with new alliance partners and people joining the party, the BJP will go up and up.

“When we were in alliance, the BJP never contested more than 22-23 seats and Alkalis were in dominant position. The BJP was not able to rise in the state. This time we formed an alliance with Captain Amarinder Singh, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and people are joining us. Now we are equal partners and it is a good opportunity for us to rise in Punjab. In the five corner contest, BJP will have a good show in Punjab,” he said as a few leaders from Punjab joined the BJP at the party headquarters here.

The BJP is jointly contesting the Punjab assembly election with former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s Punjab Lok Congress and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt). The three parties have formed a six-member committee, comprising two each from three parties to decide the seat sharing formula. Three parties will also make a common manifesto. Polling in Punjab will be held on February 14 and counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Taking a dig at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Puri said: “The time he (Yadav) took to conduct the trial run of Kanpur Metro, our government has run the metro. Uttar Pradesh is number one in implementing all the Central government schemes. There is a saying ‘success has many father’, and Akhilesh is trying to take credit for our work.”

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