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Credit war in Ludhiana: Congress councillor installs hoardings accusing AAP of ‘creating hurdles’ in devp work
Congress councillor Poonam Malhotra had submitted a complaint with Ludhiana MC commissioner Shena Aggarwal against AAP leaders’ alleged interference in her ward
Amid the ongoing ‘credit war’ between the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over developmental work, Congress councillor Baljinder Bunty installed hoardings in Ward 68 accusing AAP leaders of ‘deliberately creating hurdles’ and stopping road construction sanctioned by the municipal corporation.
The hoardings have appeared at a time when councillors of several parties, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Lok Insaaf Party (LIP), are accusing AAP legislators of deliberately delaying ongoing development works so that the MLAs may inaugurate them before the municipal polls.
“The MC has issued three orders for construction of roads in Lajpat Nagar and Jawahar Nagar Camp area in my ward. However, municipal corporation officials and contractors are being pressured to not commence construction work in order to defame me. After all, if the potholed roads are not fixed, the public will criticise me,” said Bunty.
“We will continue to fight for our rights. The AAP will not be able to win the municipal elections by adopting these unethical practices,” added Bunty.
Accusations galore
Earlier, SAD district president Harbhajan Singh Dang had also accused AAP leaders of deliberately stopping the ongoing construction work so that AAP legislators or aspiring candidates may re-inaugurate the projects.
Congress councillor Poonam Malhotra had submitted a complaint with MC commissioner Shena Aggarwal against AAP leaders’ alleged interference in her ward.
Baseless allegations: AAP
Meanwhile, AAP MLA (Ludhiana West) Gurpreet Gogi refuted the allegations saying, “These are all baseless allegations to gain political mileage. The developmental projects had been delayed during the Congress’ rule. Why was the councillor (Bunty) not able to take up the project during Congress rein? Now, when the AAP is pushing authorities to take up developmental works and projects are starting off, Congress councillors are trying to hog the credit.”
Removal of hoardings: Bunty opposes MC staffers (box)
Meanwhile, high drama was witnessed in the Jawahar Nagar Camp area after municipal corporation staffers attempted to remove the hoardings installed by Bunty on Thursday evening.
Bunty had a heated argument with MC staffers and accused employees of the tehbazari wing of working on the directions of the AAP. “Why are only hoardings installed by me being removed and no action is being taken against any other hoarding installed across the city? AAP should stop interfering with the wards being represented by the Congress,” said Bunty.
The MC staffers returned without removing the hoardings.
