The BJP has alleged that some elements, with the help of money, muscle and political power, had committed irregularities during the first phase of elections to panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) held on Tuesday. Una MLA Satpal Singh Satti, while addressing mediapersons on Wednesday, alleged that Devinder Singh, BJP-supported candidate for the post of pradhan in Bangarh gram panchayat, had won by about 35 votes. However, during subsequent two recounting of votes demanded by the opposition candidate, Devinder Singh was declared having lost the election by 22 votes.
Satti said that a counting staff member allegedly possessed a stamp used by voters to select the candidate of their choice. He asked how the employee managed to smuggle the stamp inside the counting station. He added that the Election Department should inquire into the matter. He later accompanied Devinder Singh, who filed a complaint with the Una SDM and demanded the recounting of votes.
Satti alleged that ‘goonda raaj’ was evident during the elections as BJP’s Una Mandal president Davinder Kaushal received an anonymous threat letter, which was pasted on his car, and was brought to his notice by his neighbours next morning.
Satti said that the letter mentioned he would be shot after the second phase of the elections tomorrow. In Sohari panchayat of the Chintpurni Assembly segment, rival groups indulged in verbal and physical exchanges on Tuesday evening. As a result, a seriously-injured person was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. Seema Sharma, BJP-supported candidate for the post of pradhan, alleged that local resident Pawan Thakur, whose son was contesting the Zila Parishad elections, stopped their vehicle during canvassing. She said that Pawan was accompanied by goons armed with hockey and baseball sticks. She added that one of them also carried a weapon.
In the videos that went viral on social media, one of Seema’s relatives was seen lying unconscious on the ground after an altercation, followed by a physical assault. He was shifted to the Una District Hospital and from there, he was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. Parveen Kumar, another local leader of neighbouring Talmehra village, was attacked with a baseball stick and seriously injured. He was also referred to the PGI.
Meanwhile, former Chintpurni MLA Balbir Singh, accompanied by Satti, submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal regarding the Sohari incident. The Deputy Commissioner said that additional police force had been deployed to Sohari panchayat. He added that he would discuss the matter with the Una SP to work out arrangements to ensure free and fair elections in Sohari panchayat tomorrow.
