#PunjabElections: Sonu Sood stopped from entering polling-booth; actor's car confiscated
What's the story
Actor Sonu Sood—whose sister Malvika Sood is contesting the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections from Moga—was barred from entering a polling booth on Sunday. Alleging vote-buying by the opposition candidates, he reportedly tried to enter a polling booth, after which his car was confiscated and he was asked to remain home. Polling for Punjab's 117-seat Legislative Assembly was held in a single phase on Sunday.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The Punjab Assembly polls are at the center of attention as Congress strives to retain power in the state. Sood's sister Malvika—contesting on a Congress ticket—is expected to give a push to the party and attract voters, given the actor's "messiah status." To recall, he earned praise from far and wide for his intense philanthropic work during the pandemic. Notably, Moga is Sood's hometown.
What happened
EC took action based on Shiromani Akali Dal's complaint
Reportedly, the Election Commission of India (ECI) stopped Sood from visiting the polling booth after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Darjinder Singh filed a complaint. Singh alleged the actor was trying to woo voters by clicking selfies with them. After sending Sood home, Moga District PRO Pradbhdeep Singh told ANI, "Action will be taken against [the actor] if he steps out of his house."
Twitter Post
The actor was asked to not leave his house
Sonu Sood was trying to enter a polling booth. During this, his car was confiscated and he was sent home. Action will be taken against him if he steps out of his house: Moga District PRO Pradbhdeep Singh
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2022
His sister Malvika Sood is contesting from Moga as a Congress candidate. pic.twitter.com/Ueeb7CNy8t
Counter allegation
'Other candidates in Moga constituency are buying votes': Sood
Speaking to ANI after the incident, Sood said, "We got to know of threat calls at various booths by [the] opposition, especially the people of Akali Dal." "It's our duty to go check... That's why we had gone out," he added. Sood also tweeted that other party candidates in Moga were buying votes and urged the ECI to "take immediate action regarding the same."
Twitter Post
This is what Sood tweeted today
Other Candidates in #Moga Constituency are buying votes.@ECISVEEP should take immediate action regarding the same.@DproMoga @MogaPolice @DGPPunjabPolice @PunjabPoliceInd
— sonu sood (@SonuSood) February 20, 2022
Polls
Election results will be announced on March 10
In the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, Congress is competing with Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Akali Dal to retain power. While the Akali Dal has allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has joined hands with BJP. The counting of votes and announcement of results will take place on March 10.