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AAP alleges Congress used liqour, gifts and arms to influence rural polls in Batala
Babushahi Bureau
Batala (Punjab), December 14, 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday mounted a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that it was caught red-handed attempting to influence voters during the ongoing Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in Punjab.
AAP Punjab General Secretary and Media In-charge Baltej Pannu claimed that a vehicle allegedly carrying liquor, ladies’ suits, weapons, live cartridges and Congress party flags was intercepted in Batala. He said the incident exposed the desperation and panic within the Congress, which, according to him, has already accepted defeat ahead of the election results.
Pannu alleged that opposition parties had earlier tried to mislead the public by accusing AAP of getting nomination papers rejected. “Now that it is clear candidates from all parties are contesting the elections, Congress has reverted to its old and discredited practices of distributing liquor, clothes and money to buy votes,” he said.
Referring to the Batala incident, Pannu stated that AAP MLA from Batala and Punjab AAP Working President Sherry Kalsi intercepted the vehicle allegedly being used to distribute inducements among voters. He further claimed that the recovery of weapons and live cartridges along with Congress flags from the same vehicle was deeply alarming.
Describing the incident as “open hooliganism,” Pannu said such actions have no place in a democratic system. He asserted that the Mann government would not tolerate any form of lawlessness and that strict action would be taken against those involved.
Highlighting AAP’s campaign focus, Pannu said the party is contesting the elections on the basis of development and governance. He listed initiatives such as free electricity, uninterrupted daytime power supply to farmers, mohalla clinics, improved government schools and people-centric policies as key achievements of the Mann government.
“The people of Punjab are aware and vigilant. They will vote for work and development, not for liquor or bribes,” Pannu said, adding that the incident reflected Congress’s failure to understand the changing political consciousness of the state.