Chandigarh, May 15 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Friday launched an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging large-scale administrative pressure, misuse of official machinery and systematic attempts to suppress democratic rights during the ongoing Municipal Council elections.

Former Minister Majithia alleged that after sensing defeat on the ground, the Punjab government had become desperate and was now using the administrative machinery to prevent Opposition candidates from participating freely in the election process.

He claimed Akali Dal candidates had been running from one office to another for the past three days to obtain mandatory no-objection certificates (NOCs) required for filing nominations, but officials were deliberately delaying the process.

He said that despite spending entire days in government offices on May 13, 14 and 15, the NOCs were not issued.

According to the SAD leader, the matter was brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner, Subdivisional Magistrate, Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer and the Punjab Election Commission, and assurances were repeatedly given that the Akali Dal candidates would receive the documents.

However, Majithia alleged that the process was intentionally stalled under political pressure.

The SAD leader also alleged that the Executive Officer of Majitha Municipal Council, Manmohan Singh Randhawa, admitted he was facing immense pressure from the Punjab government, which was why the NOCs were not being issued.

He said the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that despite clear instructions from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), the Executive Officer failed to report to office.

The Akali leader claimed that he personally waited for more than an hour at the Executive Officer’s office following directions from the SDM, but found only an empty chair while a clerk informed them that the office closes at 5 p.m. and they would have to leave.

Calling the matter a direct attack on democracy, Majithia alleged that the issue was no longer limited to NOCs alone, but reflected a wider conspiracy across Punjab to deny opposition candidates their democratic rights.

“Punjab is no longer witnessing a fair electoral process. What is unfolding is a display of intimidation, administrative coercion and misuse of state power to silence the Opposition,” he added.

–IANS

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