Akalis luring voters with money, Amarinder alleges

Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh on Friday alleged that the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal's activists were trying to distribute money among voters to lure them to vote for the party in Saturday's assembly elections.

"In Hakkuwal village, there were some tense moments as the local Congress leaders complained to Captain Amarinder of distribution of money by Vicky Middhukhera, cousin of Sukhbir Badal's close aide, Tejinder Singh Middhukhera, on Thursday night," a spokesman for Amarinder said.

"Vicky, who was caught in the act by the villagers, also threatened them with dire consequences if they did not vote for (Parkash Singh) Badal. The villagers then called the local Congress leaders. Though Vicky and his goondas fled, the locals seized his car," the spokesperson added.

Amarinder, who is challenging Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in the latter's traditional Lambi assembly constituency, told media on Friday that Akali Dal leaders were trying to lure voters with money.

The former chief minister, who campaigned in Lambi on Friday, said that voters in the constituency were fed up with the Akali Dal and gave him an overwhelming response.

"I will not spare any of them. I will throw them all in jail," Amarinder told the villagers after they complained that Akali leaders were threatening them.

Badal has been the legislator from Lambi since 1997.

Voting for Punjab assembly's all 117 seats will be held on Saturday (February 4).

The main contenders in the fray are the Akali Dal-BJP combine, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

--IANS

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