Ropar (Punjab) [India], July 11 (ANI): Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of manipulating the Municipal Council elections in Morinda, alleging that police prevented Congress councillors from voting and used force against them.
Claiming the election process was subverted to declare an independent candidate as the winner despite the Congress securing a majority of seats, Channi said the party would challenge the outcome in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
“People like Kejriwal and Sisodia have come to Punjab and are running a government that employs every tactic- persuasion, bribery, coercion, and manipulation, to get its way. I belong to the town of Morinda”, he said.
“Municipal Council elections were held there, and our candidates won 12 out of the 15 seats; not a single candidate won on the Aam Aadmi Party’s ‘Broom’ symbol. Yet, today, their MLA entered the premises and declared an independent candidate the winner. There was no voting–nothing of the sort took place. When our members went inside, the police beat them brutally; they tore their clothes, assaulted them, and locked them up separately, preventing them from casting their votes. We will approach the High Court and fight this battle all the way.” Channi said.
Earlier on Friday, Channi confirmed that he will meet with AICC General Secretary in-charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel at the residence of Congress MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh’s at on July 11, signalling a possible thaw in the rift between the party leaders.
“United for Punjab, we have invited Punjab Congress Incharge Bhupesh Baghel ji on July 11th to place before him the sentiments of our Congress workers and the people of Punjab. Rana Gurjeet Singh Ji will host the meeting at his residence,” Channi posted on X.
Bhupesh Baghel and Channi are scheduled to hold the meeting on Saturday, after the former CM and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa skipped the initial meeting.
Ahead of the meeting with the Punjab Congress in-charge, Charanjit Channi held a meeting with party leaders Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Pargat Singh, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Barindermeet Singh Pahra and Rana Gurjeet Singh.
The rift in the party’s Punjab unit stemmed from a leadership shuffle, where Amrinder Singh Raja Warring held his post as the State Congress chief.
The Congress leader maintained that the party’s Punjab unit was united ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections despite differences.(ANI)
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