Punjab Civic Polls Marred by Violence as Opposition Accuses AAP of Intimidation

The most serious violence was reported from Ward No. 19 of the Samana Municipal Council, where rival groups clashed during polling. Heavy stone-pelting broke out between the factions, forcing police personnel to carry out a baton charge to disperse the crowd. A video from the scene showed a police officer firing an AK-47 rifle during the unrest. One person sustained injuries and was shifted to a hospital for treatment. Visuals from the area also showed police personnel carrying protective shields and allegedly throwing stones toward the crowd.

Both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Aam Aadmi Party of orchestrating violence and creating unrest during the elections. Former Congress MLA Rajinder Singh alleged that workers of the ruling party vandalised tents set up by opposition candidates and attempted to disrupt the polling process. Following the violence, candidates from all political parties except the Aam Aadmi Party submitted a letter to the Election Officer demanding cancellation of the election in the area.

Tension escalated further in Raikot after Congress candidate Jagdev Singh Jagga from Ward No. 4 was allegedly attacked during the Municipal Council elections. The Congress claimed that supporters of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Hakam Thekedar were behind the assault. Jagga suffered critical injuries and was initially admitted to a local hospital before being referred to the DMC Hospital in Ludhiana due to his condition.

The Congress described the attack as a direct assault on democracy and accused the ruling party of attempting to revive fear and intimidation in Raikot through violence. Party leaders stated that the town had previously emerged from an atmosphere of political intimidation and violence, but alleged that fresh attempts were now being made to terrorise voters and opponents ahead of anticipated electoral defeat. Following the incident, large crowds of Congress workers and supporters gathered outside the hospitals and near the scene of the attack.

Another confrontation erupted in Majitha between workers of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal. During the clash, the turban of a Sikh man was forcibly removed, sparking outrage among Akali Dal leaders. Police later arrested a youth in connection with the incident. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia and the Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) reached the location following the violence.

Reacting strongly on social media platform X, Bikram Majithia accused the administration of failing to protect the dignity of the Sikh community and alleged political interference in policing. He claimed that the injured Sikh youth, whose turban was removed during the clash, was forced to seek justice while the police remained silent spectators. Majithia further accused the administration of functioning under political pressure from the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

In Bhawanigarh, Sangrur MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj was involved in a heated confrontation with Congress workers during the Municipal Council elections. The dispute began after former Cabinet Minister Vijay Inder Singla entered a polling booth, triggering objections from the MLA. Bharaj demanded that Singla leave the premises, while Congress supporters raised slogans against her, creating chaos at the polling station.

Union Minister Ravneet Bittu also criticised the administration over the incidents. In a statement posted on X, he alleged misuse of police and administrative machinery to suppress opposition voices. He stated that the opposition would continue fighting for the rights of the people despite intimidation and political pressure.

The Shiromani Akali Dal also filed a criminal complaint against Gidderbaha MLA Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon and his associates, accusing them of booth capturing, assault, intimidation and interference in the electoral process.

Responding to the allegations, Aam Aadmi Party minister Aman Arora said the government had taken note of the clashes and was examining the reasons behind the incidents. Speaking to NDTV, he stated that strict directions had been issued to prevent violations and violence during polling. He added that if isolated incidents had occurred, the Election Commission would investigate them. Arora further maintained that such incidents had also taken place during previous elections and denied any relaxation from the government’s side.

The violence during Punjab’s civic elections has intensified political tensions in the state, with opposition parties accusing the ruling administration of undermining democratic processes through intimidation and force. The incidents have now placed the conduct of the local body polls under sharp public and political scrutiny.

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