Anandpur Sahib, Punjab (March 16, 2014): According to certain media reports Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal protested against the Election Commission’s decision of cancelling permission for political conferences at Holla Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib.
A view of Sangat at Anandpur Sahib on Holla Mohalla (2014)
According to information Badal Dal held its conference at the earmarked place but restrained from making political speeches. Speaking on the occasion Parkash Singh Badal equated the Elections Commission’s decision forbidding political parties to hold conferences at Anandpur Sahib on the occasion of Holla Mohalla, with period of emergency.
“It was an emergency like situation since Election Commission has not given permission for making political speeches, the SAD would abide by the orders,” said Badal.
He, however, said that earlier the permission was granted but withdrawn later on.
President of Shiromani Gurdawara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) Avtar Singh Makkar also attended the conference but restrained himself from making any speech.
Meanwhile, district administration did not allowed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to hold its conference at Anandpur Sahib.
H S Phoolka, AAP candidate from Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat who was organiser of the conference, accused the administration of being biased towards them.
“While SAD (Badal) was allowed to hold its conference, they were not allowed to erect its stage,” he said, adding that AAP will make a complaint to ECI in this regard.