Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and Member of Parliament from Ludhiana, held a crucial meeting with the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, Jitendra Jorwal, to address serious concerns over the delay in issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to aspiring candidates for the upcoming Panchayat Elections in Punjab.
Warring raised the issue that while Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-backed candidates are being given clearances on time, independent and non-AAP-aligned candidates are being deliberately delayed, giving AAP an unfair advantage in the entire electoral process.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Raja Warring lashed out at the blatant misuse of power by the AAP government. "This is nothing short of a mockery of democracy. The Aam Aadmi Party is ensuring that all aspiring candidates who are not aligned with them are kept in the dark. No updates have been provided regarding the reserved villages, and the NOCs have not been issued.
This is a calculated move to sabotage the chances of those not backed by AAP. People are being fooled, and we demand an immediate issuance of NOCs. All of this paperwork should have been completed 15 days ago, but here we are, with elections around the corner and no documentation in place," Warring asserted.
The PPCC Chief also criticized AAP’s manipulation of the election process, citing a recent move in the Vidhan Sabha where it was mandated that no candidate could campaign using an election symbol. "This is because they know that any candidate with the AAP symbol will lose miserably in Punjab.
Now, rumors are swirling that a performa is being prepared, where victorious sarpanches will be asked which political party they align with. This is to weed out non-AAP supporters and pressurize them to join hands with AAP to inflate their victory claims. This level of political dishonesty is shameful, and we will not stand for it."
Raja Warring emphasized that Congress is committed to a free and fair election and announced the creation of a helpline by the PPCC. "We have launched a helpline for anyone—whether they are linked with Congress or not—who is facing trouble with documentation for the upcoming Panchayat Elections.
Local district-level Congress leadership will provide assistance, ensuring that no one is blocked from participating in the democratic process. We will not let AAP influence these elections through their underhanded tactics. I want to make it clear that we will not let any officer be coerced by the misuse of power by CM Mann’s government."
He aggressively warned, "I urge everyone involved—do not tarnish this election. We will not allow the Aam Aadmi Party to continue manipulating the electoral process to serve their own ends. The people of Punjab see through their lies. We will ensure all these corrupt maneuvers by AAP are put to rest, and I expect strict action from the DC. Our discussions today were fruitful, and swift action has been promised."
“The misuse of power by AAP is evident in village Satipura, district Sangrur, where the village was recently added to the reserved list under ‘Schedule Caste Women’. However, shockingly, the village only has one SC vote belonging to a woman, while officially, 30% vote share is required for a village to be added to the reserved list.
This is yet another example of AAP's deliberate manipulation of the electoral process, aimed at curbing the democratic rights of the people.” – highlighted the PPCC ChiefRaja Warring also added that there is a dire need for the rejuvenation of the Budha Naala, a critical issue that affects Ludhiana and its residents.
This is not just a political issue, it’s a matter of public health now. The state of the Budha Naala is a hazard to the people of Ludhiana. We have proposed a multi-stakeholder meeting to address this problem and find long-term solutions. The health of the people cannot be ignored any longer."
Following his media interaction, the PPCC Chief paid tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his birth anniversary by laying garlands on his statue near Jagraon Bridge in Ludhiana, reaffirming his commitment to Punjab and its people.