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Clashes mar bypoll in Talwandi Sabo
Gurdeep Mann and Bharat Khanna
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 21
Byelection to Talwandi Sabo constituency witnessed an incident of firing in the afternoon followed by a clash between Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supporters at Rama Mandi polling booth (IV) in Talwandi Sabo constituency in Bathinda district.

The police detained a Congress sarpanch at Dunewala village for more than two hours following an altercation with Akali workers over booth capturing.

Official sources confirmed 68 per cent polling till 5 pm.

SAD workers fired in air in the presence of Congress candidate Harminder Singh Jassi. Onlookers said that five to eight shots were fired. Congress workers reportedly retaliated and fired in the air. However, there were no reports of injury to anyone. Two youngsters are reported to have sustained injuries in a stone pelting.

Polling was immediately stopped at polling booths (Polling station 38-40, 41-42) of ward No 4 at Rama Mandi amidst heavy deployment of police force.

The Congress has lodged a complaint of bogus voting for 45 minutes before 9 am at booth No 107 of Khalsa School building in “Talwandi Sabo city.

When the Congress candidate Harminder Singh and SAD candidate Jeet Mohinder Sidhu came face to face, both hurled abuses, alleging booth capturing.

“SAD (B) candidate wanted to capture the booth and fired on me. The police were hand in glove with the ruling alliance. Booths were captured by Akalis in many villages,” alleged Jassi.

The SAD candidate did not respond despite repeated efforts to reach him.

AAP candidate Baljinder Kaur expressed dissatisfaction over the security arrangements for the bypolls. She alleged blatant violation of election norms, particularly in Talwandi Sabo town and Rama Mandi.

“The security personnel sided with the ruling party. They allowed polling of fake votes”, Kultar Singh, AAP spokesperson.

SSP Gurpreet Bhullar said the situation in the constituency was under control and efforts are on to nab those who tried to disturb peace by firing gun shots.

Lower turnout

Patiala and Talwandi Sabo Assembly byelections saw a turnout of 60% and 82.34% voting, respectively

The figures are lower than those for Assembly elections at 68.14% and 86.70% for the two segments