Chandigarh, May 27 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Punjab President Aman Arora on Wednesday slammed Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, condemning him for violation of election norms during the municipal corporation elections.

He called out the BJP minister and leaders for attempting to disrupt the democratic process through ‘goondaism’.

However, Union Minister Bittu accused state Cabinet minister Arora of resorting to personal attacks against his family and blamed the state police for manhandling him.

Cabinet minister Arora said, “The state witnessed through the media how the Aam Aadmi Party government had issued clear directions to ensure that the elections were conducted peacefully and in a democratic manner. However, the BJP once again resorted to intimidation, misuse of power and goondaism during the polling process.”

“The BJP has made hooliganism and manipulation a pattern in every election. The BJP earlier looted votes in West Bengal by misusing the system and attempted similar tactics in Punjab during the civic polls.”

Strongly reacting to the incidents reported from Sangrur and Dhuri, he said, “It is unacceptable for leaders of a party ruling at the national level to come onto the streets and openly indulge in such behaviour. The entire Punjab condemns the actions of Ravneet Bittu and BJP leaders.”

Arora said, “BJP leaders violated Election Commission rules by remaining present in Dhuri despite the end of campaigning. As per election norms, outsiders are not allowed to stay in the city after campaigning concludes, yet BJP leader Onkar Singh remained there in violation of the rules.”

“When Punjab Police attempted to enforce the rules and removed the BJP leader from the area, Ravneet Bittu himself reached the spot and tried to obstruct the police action. He behaved as if the Constitution and law were subordinate to his political position,” Arora added.

Refuting the allegations, Union Minister Bittu accused him of resorting to personal attacks against his family instead of answering questions on governance failures, political misuse of Punjab Police, and the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state.

The Union Minister said that during his 17 years in the Parliament, he has always maintained political dignity and never indulged in personal attacks against opponents. He recalled that his grandfather, late Beant Singh, the former Chief Minister, laid down his life fighting terrorism to protect Punjab and the nation.

“We have seen and faced terrorism. We understand the sacrifices made by the Punjab Police and security forces. Unfortunately, the present AAP government has politicised the police force for its own agenda,” Bittu added.

–IANS

vg/uk