SAD demands immediate transfer of Bathinda DC

Chandigarh, March 22 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today registered a complaint against Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Parneet Bhardwaj with the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab and requested that he be transferred immediately to ensure free and fair elections.

The complaint against the Bathinda DC said that the officer was allowing himself to be used as a Congress agent because the ruling party had posted him at this important post despite the fact that he was scheduled to retired in September this year. The SAD President’s Political Secretary Charanjit Singh Brar said as per the directions of the Chief Election Commission (CEC) any officer who is scheduled to retire in six months should not be appointed as Returning Officer.

Mr Brar also pointed out that the Bathinda DC was trying to influence the electorate. He said people going to the Deputy Commissioner’s officer for redressal of their grievances were told to approach Congress leaders and secure their ‘sifarish’. He said people visiting the DC’s office were also told to support the Congress party by stating that the ruling party alone could help resolve their issues. “This is against all norms and a situation has arisen whereby free and fair elections are not possible in Bathinda under the present dispensation. The officer should be removed from his post immediately”, Mr Brar added.