A controversy has erupted in Punjab over a video of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in which he purportedly asks industrialists to contribute to SAD-BJP’s Jalandhar candidate Pawan Kumar Tinu’s election campaign.
The video, which has already been broadcast by some of the local channels, led to the Opposition Congress party to ask the Election Commission to bar Mr Badal from campaigning over “blatant violation” of the model code of conduct.
The video shows the chief minister saying, “Parde naal davo, sahmne na davo (Give quietly, don’t give openly),” as he allegedly asked for “crores” during a meeting with industrialists.
Even as ruling Akali Dal has not taken the video seriously, only describing the use of Punjabi metaphors and symbols, the Congress thinks otherwise. Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa has asked the chief election commissioner to intervene and “immediately stop” Mr Badal’s participation in the poll process.
The Punjab Congress president said, “The commission should categorically bar Badal from campaigning in the state. In fact, he should not be allowed to camp in the state till the elections are over.”
The chief minister, while addressing the industrialists, had allegedly said: “Tann, mann atte teeji ik gall hor vi hundi hai... oh tussi vi samjho, us vich vi maddad karo (Besides physical and emotional support (for Tinu), there’s a third thing too... please understand and help with it). Bada aukha kum hunda hai... karoron rupaiyya kharch hunda hai (Electioneering is a tough job and needs crores). Parde naal davo, sahmne na davo (Give secretly, not in the open).”
The recording allegedly also shows Mr Badal admitting to fudging expenditure details.
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Controversy over Badal video asking for funds
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