Cong slams "jungle raj" in state, demands clean polls

Expressing concern over "absolute lawlessness" allegedly prevailing in Punjab, Congress today urged the election commission here to ensure that upcoming local bodies elections are held in a free and fair manner.
"The polls being held, are a total mockery of democracy. The government is trying to fudge the election process by making it totally farcical (exercise)," stated a memorandum submitted by Punjab Congress leaders to the state election commissioner.
Congress members, including those belonging to its legal cell, were led by their state party chief Partap Singh Bajwa.
The memorandum demanded immediate intervention of the commission to create "an atmosphere for (holding) free and fair elections in Punjab."

Zilla parishad and block samiti elections are to be held in Punjab on May 19.
The memorandum called for deployment of paramilitary forces at all polling stations and also demanded that voting process at each polling station as well as counting of votes be video-recorded.
Congress leaders also demanded that district magistrates across Punjab must ensure that firearms held by people within their jurisdiction, particularly those belonging to SAD-BJP supporters, are deposited with them before the polls.
Congress leaders had yesterday submitted a similar memorandum to Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil.