Chandigarh: Tension flared across Punjab on Thursday during the nomination process for the zilla parishad and block samiti elections, with multiple districts reporting confrontations between rival political groups.
In Gurdaspur, Congress and AAP workers came face to face near the Dera Baba Nanak tehsil office, leading to a scuffle. Both sides slapped each other and even pulled off turbans during the clash.
The situation escalated to the point where police had to intervene to restore order. Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s son, Udayveer Singh Randhawa, reached the spot and accused the AAP government of promoting hooliganism.
AAP MLA from Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, however, claimed that the nomination process was peaceful until Congress workers allegedly tried to create panic.
He said, “Candidates were coming to file their papers and leave, but Congress workers showed hooliganism. I will not allow any such behaviour in my constituency.”
Similar scenes were reported in other districts. In Patiala, some candidates broke barricades while approaching the nomination centre. In Jalandhar, a BSP leader was allegedly prevented from filing nomination papers. In Amritsar, the Shiromani Akali Dal accused AAP workers of assaulting their candidate.
Akali Dal MLA from Majitha, Ganiv Kaur, posted on social media accusing the AAP government of trying to dominate the election process.
Police across multiple districts have tightened security as the nomination phase continues.
