Punjab 2022 elections: Notice to AAP for Bhagwant Mann road show in Sangrur

PATIALA: The Sangrur administration sent a notice to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) district incharge for violation of the model code of conduct by organising a road show by Punjab party chief Bhagwant Mann on Sunday.
The AAP Sangrur incharge had claimed that some cars along of a wedding party had come before the AAP leaders’ cavalcade and thus created an impression of a road show.
AAP chief minister candidate Bhagwant Mann on Sunday had initiated a campaign in Dhuri constituency of Sangrur district and had crossed through some villages in the district and Dhuri assembly segment where he had got a rousing welcome. Congress MLA and candidate Dalvir Singh Goldy and former legislator and SAD (B) candidate Parkash Chand Garg are contesting against Bhagwant Mann from Dhuri assembly seat.
Ishmit Vijay Singh, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Dhuri said, “We have issued the show-cause notice to the party district incharge of AAP in Sangrur over the road show carried out by Bhagwant Mann despite the road shows and rallies being banned.”
Gurmel Singh, AAP district incharge in Sangrur said a wedding procession had come before Bhagwant’s caravan, slowing them down and making the crowd seem large.
“We received the notice from the returning officer over alleged code violation. There were some cars probably going for a marriage and the wedding procession followed it. These created an illusion that the entire gathering was related to the AAP, whereas there were no party flags or symbols with that crowd. A large number of people had come on their own to have a glimpse of Mann. We had all the video recordings and will submit these proofs with the returning officer. Mann had paid obeisance at local gurdwara sahib in Moolowal village and a temple in Ranike village on Sunday. Besides, while crossing from villages he had stopped for a short duration near Ladda and Kanjla villages to meet some of his supporters,” said Gurmel Singh.
He added, “The party office in Dhuri has been opened on Sunday though arrangement works had started a few days before” During 2019 and 2014 parliamentary elections, Mann had got a lead of more than 21% vote share and over 29% vote share in Dhuri assembly segment that falls under Sangrur parliamentary seat being represented by him.