Chandigarh: Punjab leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt of subverting democracy through fear and coercion, alleging that elected members in the block samiti received threat calls from a gangster reportedly operating from Portugal.Bajwa alleged that members were warned of dire consequences, including harm to their families, if they voted for the Congress nominee. He claimed the threats were aimed at influencing the outcome of the block samiti elections.Congratulating Congress leaders Sukhdev Singh Happy and Simranjit Kaur on their election as chairman and vice-chairman of Kahnuwan block samiti, Bajwa said their victory stood in contrast to what he described as “dark and dangerous manipulation” in Dhariwal.He alleged that when such threats directly benefitted AAP candidates, the ruling party could not escape responsibility.Bajwa also warned the state machinery that officers ignoring the fear and insecurity of ordinary Punjabis would be held accountable if Congress came to power in 2027.
