Arrangements in place for Punjab bypolls

All necessary arrangements had been put in place for tomorrow's Assembly bypolls to two seats in Punjab, even as AAP today alleged that its Talwandi Sabo candidate has been attacked by Akali Dal supporters.
The bypolls would be held for the Assembly segments of Patiala and Talwandi Sabo tomorrow and all arrangements including those of security have been put in place, officials said.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party has alleged that its Talwandi Sabo candidate Baljinder Kaur was attacked by an Akali leader Dayal Singh and his supporters.
According to AAP's senior leader H S Phoolka, he, along with AAP leaders Ashutosh and Sanjay Singh, met Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha and submitted a representation regarding the alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct by the Akali Dal ministers in Talwandi Sabo and also brought to the notice the attack incident.

Phoolka said in a release here that the representation was regarding the presence of Akali Dal ministers and workers in the Talwandi Sabo Assembly constituency area even though the EC had directed the outsiders to leave the constituency area before 5 p.M. On August 19 when the campaigning ended.
"We have also brought to the EC's notice the incident of attack on Baljinder Kaur," he said, blaming the Akali Dal leader and some of his supporters for the incident.

Phoolka said today Baljinder Kaur (29) was attacked by the Akali leader and his supporters with arms and sharp-edged objects after she requested them to stop canvassing in view of the Election Commission's direction that no campaigning is to be done after 5 p.M. On August 19.

He said Baljinder Kaur's driver was also badly injured and admitted to the hospital.
"Although, the administration and police have been informed about the incident, but no action has been taken against the Akali Dal leader and workers," he said, adding, the Akali leader is an outsider "but he roams around freely in the area allegedly threatening the voters."
"The deputy election Commissioner has assured us of taking immediate action against the violators and informed that he has instructed the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab to ensure that no outsider remains in the area," Phoolka further said.
While a total of eight contestants are in fray in Patiala, Talwandi Sabo is being contested by seven candidates.