₹5 lakh for unopposed sarpanch: Where’s the promised grant? Villagers confront Bhagwant Mann during campaigning

The villagers, including sarpanch Gurmukh Singh, complained that Mann didn’t fulfil his promise of giving ₹5 lakh to the panchayat. They raised slogans against Mann and made him uncomfortable with a volley of questions.

Sangrur MP and Aam Aadmi Party candidate Bhagwant Mann had to face a tough time when residents of Farwali village near Malerkotla questioned him on his promise to give Rs 5 lakh to panchayat electing its sarpanch unopposed, during his poll campaigning on Tuesday.

Aam Aadmi Party candidate Bhagwant Mann(HT File)

The villagers, including sarpanch Gurmukh Singh, complained that Mann didn’t fulfil his promise of giving ₹5 lakh to the panchayat. They raised slogans against Mann and made him uncomfortable with a volley of questions.

“The residents want Rs 5 lakh grant for the village’s development as promised by Mann. We will not allow him to set up a polling booth here in the upcoming elections as he betrayed us,” said Gurmukh.

Mann said he has given Rs 2.4 lakh to the village but now the model code of conduct has come into force, he can’t release more funds.

“Four months back, I had announced to give Rs 5 lakh to those panchayats which would elect its sarpanch unopposed. I have assured them that I will release remaining funds after the elections,” said Mann.