Vignettes of voting day: Lalli drives Majithia up the wall and ‘Aam Aadmi’, the VIP of the day
A polling booth at Majithia saw a heated exchange between sitting legislator Bikram Singh Majithia and his arch rival, Congressman Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lalli. A video that has gone viral shows an angry Majithia waving his cell phone and repeatedly saying, “Gaddi bahar kudd (Get your vehicle out).”
LALLI DRIVES MAJITHIA UP THE WALL
A polling booth at Majithia saw a heated exchange between sitting legislator Bikram Singh Majithia and his arch rival, Congressman Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lalli. A video that has gone viral shows an angry Majithia waving his cell phone and repeatedly saying, “Gaddi bahar kudd (Get your vehicle out).” Lalli is seen telling Majithia that it belongs to the candidate, but Majithia persists, “Koi kam nahin ithe gaddi da. koi kanoon nahin todo ethe. Chal, chal, chal bahar...” Later, Lalli leaves, waving his hand and yelling, “Daraa rahe hai lokan nu. Das saal ehi kita. logan ne kha jaana hai tainu.”
Video | Heated exchange between Bikram Majithia and Lalli Majithia over car inside polling station
‘AAM AADMI’, THE VIP OF THE DAY
It happens once in five years. The aam aadmi, or the voter to be politically correct, was in for some royal treatment at polling stations across Punjab on Saturday. The Election Commission (EC) rolled out red carpets and handed rose stems to voters as part of an encouragement drive. The initiative is part of the EC’s concept of a model polling booth. It so happened that Patiala royal and Congress candidate Capt Amarinder Singh’s polling booth was among those selected for the honours. The poll officials at Amarinder’s booth were so flustered with the media attention that they rolled back the red carpet for a while before rolling it out again. The red carpet and flowers awaited voters in the Delhi assembly elections in 2015 for the first time. Like they say every voter, and vote, counts.
REVEALING CHOICE THROUGH CODES
Your vote is secret, says the EC. But several candid Punjabis used innovative code language outside polling booths at various constituencies in Ludhiana district to reveal their voting choices after exercising their franchise. ‘Safai karti’ (cleaned everything) and ‘jhadu pherta’ (swiped the broom) were some of the code words used for AAP. ‘Aashirwad de ditta’ (have given the blessing) signified the hand symbol of the Congress. For SAD that has weighing balance as its symbol, the common code word used was ‘tolta’ (weighed). ‘Chitthi pa ditti’ (letter has been sent) was used to indicate vote for Lok Insaf Party, headed by Bains brothers.
SIDHU STUMPED, VIOLATES CODE
Navjot Singh Sidhu allegedly violated the model code of conduct when his wife Navjot Kaur, son Karan and he entered the Mata Saroop Rani College premises in their cavalcade of three luxury cars to cast their vote. As per the EC guidelines, no one is allowed to move in the polling booth premises in their vehicles, except handicapped or physically challenged persons. Sidhu’s cavalcade was stopped at the entrance gate, but he gained entry saying he was carrying special permission. “We are checking the CCTV footage. Action will be initiated as per the EC guidelines,” said Amritsar deputy commissioner Basant Garg.
(BY YOJANA YADAV, ASEEM BASSI, ARJUN SHARMA AND PTI)