Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur
Congress workers today sit in front of the Block Development and Panchayat Office (BDPO) in protest after the nomination papers of their party candidate were cancelled, triggering allegations of political interference by the AAP legislator.
Congress leader Sukhwinder Singh Attari, who had filed his nomination from the Attari Block Samiti zone, said the BDPO office informed him that his nomination was rejected on the grounds that his house was allegedly built on panchayat land. Terming the claim baseless, he said neither he nor his family had ever been served any notice, and noted that his wife had earlier served as a Block Samiti member from the same zone without any such objection being raised.
Attari further alleged that the AAP MLA had openly challenged him and threatened that his nomination would be cancelled, accusing the legislator of exerting pressure on officials to ensure the rejection of his papers. He said the move, coming just ahead of the elections, reflected a clear attempt at political victimisation that the Congress workers would strongly oppose.
As news of the cancellation spread, Congress workers gathered on Malwal Road, blocked traffic, and raised slogans against the ruling party. Senior police officials reached the site to calm the situation, but the protesters declared that their dharna would continue until the issue is addressed and justice is done.
