Supreme Court verdict exposes AAP’s anti-democratic face in Punjab; Bhagwant Mann must answer for the collapse of electoral process : Tarun Chugh

Supreme Court verdict exposes AAP’s anti-democratic face in Punjab; Bhagwant Mann must answer for the collapse of electoral process : Tarun Chugh

Chandigarh 8 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : BJP National Office In-Charge and MP Tarun Chugh launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party following the Supreme Court’s decision to set aside elections in 50 municipal wards of Punjab. Tarun Chugh said that the Supreme Court order has exposed serious questions about the state of democratic governance under the AAP government in Punjab. He said the Aam Aadmi Party entered politics promising Swaraj, transparency and a change in political culture. Yet, under its government in Punjab, serious findings have emerged before the Supreme Court regarding opposition candidates allegedly being prevented from filing nominations, nomination papers being snatched, torn and destroyed, and candidates being threatened, detained and assaulted.

The Supreme Court has set aside elections in 50 wards, comprising 28 in Patiala and 22 in Moga, and ordered fresh elections. The fact-finding commission headed by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nirmaljit Kaur examined complaints relating to the electoral process and recorded serious irregularities, which were accepted by the Supreme Court. Tarun Chugh said the Supreme Court order records widespread obstruction during the nomination process. Nomination papers were snatched, torn and destroyed, while candidates were threatened and detained. Elections in 13 Patiala wards were set aside after opposition candidates were prevented from filing nominations, while in Baghapurana, all 15 wards were found vitiated after opposition candidates were systematically prevented from filing nominations.

He said, “Bhagwant Mann, this happened under your government. The people of Punjab deserve to know who will take responsibility for this assault on the democratic process.” Tarun Chugh said the seriousness of the matter is evident from the extraordinary safeguards ordered by the Supreme Court for the fresh elections. A monitoring committee headed by a retired High Court judge, outside observers and videography of the electoral process have been ordered. These safeguards themselves demonstrate the gravity of the issues that emerged during the earlier election process. He said the state government was responsible for conducting free and fair elections and maintaining law and order. Yet the Supreme Court has now required an independent monitoring mechanism to ensure that candidates are able to exercise their constitutional rights. This is a matter of political and moral accountability for the Bhagwant Mann government.

Tarun Chugh said the Aam Aadmi Party repeatedly lectures the country on democracy and the Constitution, but Arvind Kejriwal’s silence on the serious findings concerning his own party’s government in Punjab raises fundamental questions. “Arvind Kejriwal, why are you silent on what has happened in Punjab? When the Supreme Court has passed such a serious order concerning the conduct of elections under your party’s government, why are you refusing to answer?” He said Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP should first account for their own government’s record in Punjab before lecturing others on democracy. Preventing opposition candidates from exercising their right to file nominations strikes at the very foundation of democratic participation.

Tarun Chugh demanded a fair investigation into every violation and strict legal action against those found responsible. He said Bhagwant Mann must accept political and moral responsibility for the entire episode and has no moral basis to continue in office. He said, “Punjab wants answers, not excuses. Bhagwant Mann must tell the people who is responsible for this assault on the democratic process and what action has been taken against those responsible.”