Chandigarh, Oct 13:

BJP National General Secretary, Tarun Chugh, strongly condemned the AAP government in Punjab following the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s observations, saying the court has exposed the AAP government’s attempt to strangulate the democratic process in the state.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court slammed the Punjab Government recently for "blatant abuse of power" of the state machinery in the upcoming Panchayat Elections, at the stage of filing nomination papers.

Chugh pointed out that the rejection of nomination papers, coercion with the opposition candidates, and violations of legal provisions highlight a desperate and shameful attempt by the AAP government to manipulate the Panchayat elections and murder the democratic process.

Chugh condemned the AAP’s actions as a clear abuse of state machinery, citing the court’s observations that “even in the case of no other candidate in fray except one, he cannot be declared unopposed before the date of polling, which is scheduled for October 15.
Chugh said this exposes the desperate race for power by AAP leaders, who are willing to bypass democratic norms to maintain power.

Chugh further highlighted the disturbing evidence submitted to the court, where candidates who were allegedly unopposed were prematurely declared winners, with these candidates being publicly garlanded by the CM Mann or seen standing with MLAs of the ruling party. This, Chugh stated, is a shameless display of AAP’s arrogance and disrespect for the democratic process.

Chugh declared that this is a clear case of the AAP government trampling over the democratic process to serve their political interests. Chugh strongly criticized AAP’s authoritarian tactics, which have only deepened the crisis of governance in Punjab. Chugh accused AAP leaders of using state power to silence opposition, manipulate the elections, and betray the trust of the people, undermining the very essence of democracy.

Chugh called on Punjabis to reject the government that works against the will of the people, urged people of Punjab to vote wisely in future to safeguard democracy before it is completely eroded under AAP’s rule.