BJP boycotts Rampura Phool polls

BATHINDA: In another jolt to the ruling alliance, BJP leaders on Saturday accused SAD of mercilessly beating up its leader and in protest boycotted the election for the Rampura Phool municipal council president. What's more, the saffron party also staged a sit-in against police and the Akali Dal at city police station.
On the other hand, taking benefit of ally's absence SAD wrested both the posts of president and vice-president.SAD leader Sunil Bitta was elected as president and Gurtej Rana as the VP of the civic body.
Former VP Renu Gautam accused the SAD activists of beating up her husband Ramesh Gautam. SAD had won 13 seats in 21 member house, BJP had won three, while five seats went to independents. The Congress had boycotted the February 25 elections accusing Akali Dal of highhandedness .
Sources claimed that Ramesh Gautam was distributing some pamphlets against Punjab rural minister and Rampura MLA Sikandar Singh Maluka. The pamphlet though is printed in the name of BJP workers but no name was mentioned. Angered over it some unknown persons said to be SAD activists mercilessly beat up Ramesh. He was referred to civil hospital, Bathinda.
Angry over it BJP activists led by BJP Yuva Morcha state president Mohit Gupta and BJP district rural president Gurinder Bhagta assembled at police station and staged a dharna, demanding action against guilty persons.
"The SAD has crossed all limits of alliance and had beaten up our leader. The SAD leaders also indulged in highhandedness during elections and now stopped BJP from electing its candidate as vice president. We demand stern action against guilty SAD activists", said Mohit Gupta.
Sikandar Singh Maluka when contacted denied the whole incident. He said we had invited BJP to take part in election but the party candidates failed to put up their presence and we have kept pending one post of vice-president for BJP candidate."
Bathinda SSP Inder Mohan Singh said, "Police are looking into the matter and a case is being registered."