Uncivilised civic Poll : Badal calls it Black Sunday for democracy

Chandigarh December 18 ,Former Chief Minister Parkash Badal today described the entire process of civic poll as ” utterly uncivilised” and a huge blow to democracy in Punjab. ” This day will be remembered as a Black Sunday for democracy in Punjab”

In a statement here ,mr Badal said that this was the first election to local bodies in Punjab in which the Chief Minister made it clear on Day One of campaign that it was not the congress but the government and the state machinery against other pilitical parties. ” it was a votes minus democracy in which the innocent and helpless Punjabis were pitted against governments muscle power state machinery. Opposition parties were not allowed to contest at most place through non issuance of NOCs and wilful and wanton rejection of nomination papers. He said that st many places bogus voters from outside outnumbered the local and genuine voters.

Mr Badal questioned the role played by the state election commissioner and said that ” it was s match in which the referee not only shrugged his shoulder saying he is helpless but he actually looked like a member of the team Govt.