Amritsar- The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), led by party president S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, staged a massive dharna at the main chowk in Bhikhiwind to protest what they described as a “murder of democracy.” The demonstration followed allegations that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers tore the nomination papers of Akali candidates to prevent them from contesting the upcoming Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections.
According to S. Badal, he contacted the State Election Commission during the protest and informed officials that the party had video evidence showing AAP workers vandalizing nomination papers, allegedly with the open support of police personnel present at the scene.
In response to the situation, Tarn Taran SSP visited the protest site and met with Akali leaders. The officer ensured that all SAD candidates were able to file their nomination papers at the BDPO office without obstruction. He further assured S. Badal that he would personally oversee the process the following day to guarantee a fair, transparent, and interference-free filing of nominations.
Following these assurances, the Akali Dal lifted the dharna.