A candidate contesting the sarpanch's post at Talwandi Malowal village under Tarsikka block in Amritsar district on Tuesday accused authorities of turning a blind eye to his complaint questioning the eligibility of his rival Paramjit Singh since the latter had allegedly been declared a proclaimed offender (PO) by a court of law.
"So pathetic is the situation that the block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) has issued Paramjit a 'no-objection certificate' too to contest the election," complainant Daljit Singh told Hindustan Times, adding that authorities were yet to reject Paramjit's nomination papers.
His allegations have put a question mark on the process adopted to scrutinise the credentials of contestants for the July 3 panchayat elections in the state.
Paramjit had submitted his papers for the post of sarpanch to returning officer (RO) Puneet Kumar. The scrutiny of all nominations was taken up on Tuesday.
In a complaint submitted to the RO on Monday, Daljit claimed that Paramjit had been declared a PO by Judicial Magistrate (First Class) in case number 3930/10 vide order number 2072 dated November 2, 2011. The case was filed by Amar Singh and Harbans Singh, commission agents, regarding bouncing of cheques.
Daljit claimed that at a meeting of all prominent villagers, it was decided to unanimously elect him as the sarpanch. Even Paramjit had agreed to the proposal, he added.
However, he claimed, Paramjit later decided to enter the fray despite knowing fully well that he was not qualified to do so. "We do not believe in an Akali sarpanch or a Congress sarpanch. For us, a person who holds this post must be committed to the development of the village," Daljit said.
Daljit claimed that at a meeting of all prominent villagers, it was decided to unanimously elect him as the sarpanch. Even Paramjit had agreed to the proposal, he added.
However, he claimed, Paramjit later decided to enter the fray despite knowing fully well that he was not qualified to do so. "We do not believe in an Akali sarpanch or a Congress sarpanch. For us, a person who holds this post must be committed to the development of the village," Daljit said.