Punjab CM Channi, singer Moosewala booked for violating poll code
What's the story
The Punjab Police has lodged a case against the state's Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Congress candidate Sidhu Moosewala—also a popular Punjabi singer—for violating the model code of conduct in Mansa district on Friday. It was the last day of campaigning for the upcoming assembly elections on Sunday. The leaders were allegedly campaigning beyond the stipulated deadline of 6:00 pm.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The police case against the Congress leaders comes with just hours to go for the hotly-contested 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. The Grand Old Party is striving to retain power under Channi's leadership following months of bitter infighting. Elections in the northern state will be held in a single phase on Sunday (February 20) and results will be declared on March 10.
Details
AAP candidate filed complaint
The complaint against Channi and others had been filed by Dr. Vijay Singla, the rival Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) candidate from Mansa. The chief minister and Moosewala allegedly campaigned in the area until 6:30 pm as against the 6:00 pm deadline. Further, Moosewala had reportedly gathered more than 400 supporters for a door-to-door campaign, which was also beyond the permissible limit.
Case
FIR registered at Mansa Police station
After receiving the complaint, the police filed a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at City-1 Mansa Police station. In a similar incident earlier on Friday, Bikram Singh Mofar—a Congress party candidate from Sardulgarh—was booked for holding a roadshow without permission from authorities.
Elections
The political scene in Punjab
Polling for the 117-member Punjab Legislative Assembly will begin on Sunday morning. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has emerged as a key challenger to Congress. Besides, former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party, while the Akali Dal has allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party. In the last state election in 2017, Congress had won 77 of 117 seats.