Akalis forcing villagers to take 'loyalty pledge': Congress

Opposition Congress today alleged that ruling SAD was forcing voters to take "loyalty pledge" in Sikh shrines to support particular contestants ahead of the next month's panchayat elections in Punjab.
A party delegation, led by former MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, submitted a memorandum to State Election Commissioner S S Brar for taking action in this regard.
Khaira alleged that Shiromani Akali Dal was doing this ahead of July three panchayat polls at the behest of former minister Sucha Singh Langhah.
He demanded that a case be lodged against Langhah under relevant sections of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994 for indulging in corrupt practice and violation of model code of conduct.

Villagers affiliated to SAD are pledging loyalty to the party in writing in the gurdwaras, he alleged.
Besides, SAD leaders are giving messages of higher grants to their panchayats which amounts to bribing the voter through money, he said.
Meanwhile, the ruling party described the allegation as an indication of the Congress' "intellectual bankruptcy".
The SAD said the model code of conduct for the panchayat elections was enforced from June 19. "So where is the illegality in signing such a pledge on June 18 when no code of conduct was in force?" SAD General Secretary D S Cheema asked.