Political battle intensifies in poll-bound Punjab

Kartarpur/Chandigarh, Jan 18 (ANI): With assembly elections right around the corner, battle lines are being drawn between contesting parties as political battle reaches its zenith in Punjab.

Punjab is one of the five Indian states due to hold assembly elections this year. As per the schedule planned by Election Commission, the state assembly poll in Punjab would be held on January 30.

In Punjab, the main battle is expected to be between the state-ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)- Bharatiya Janata Party alliance and the Congress party.

Speaking to mediapersons, Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal launched a scathing attack at his main political rival, the Congress party, accusing it of accepting money for tickets from candidates.Any party that gives tickets to its workers by taking money from them cannot be a good party. Even if these candidates, who have come into the party after paying money, come to power, they will only loot the exchequer. That is why, I appeal to the people of Punjab, please rein in such unscrupulous parties," said Badal.

Meanwhile, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Captain Amarinder Singh accused Sukhbir Singh Badal of 'bribing' the party rebels to go against the Congress.

Singh went on to warn the rebel candidates of serious consequences for if they did not heed the Congress party line.

"Unfortunately, Sukhbir Singh Badal has paid money to many of our rebel candidates. The conduit for carrying this money, I say again, has been the vigilance department. Whether Mr. Saini agrees or does not agree it is his business, but we know that and we have already informed the Election Commission. As far as settling the row with the rebels in concerned, it is subject to discipline," he said.

"If they withdraw their nomination papers in a day or two...otherwise, they will be expelled from the party. This time, the party has taken a very stringent view in Delhi, that for five years they will be out, and for the next five years, they will have a cooling off period, they will be given no jobs. So ten...they will have to sacrifice for few hours of pleasure," he added.

Punjab is one of five states due to hold elections this year. As per the schedule planned by Election Commission, the state assembly poll in Punjab would be held on January 30.

In Punjab, the main battle is expected to be between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)- Bharatiya Janata Party alliance and the Congress party. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and son of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, heads the SAD. (ANI)