By IANS,
Mohali (Punjab) : A legislator from the opposition Congress party in Punjab has alleged he is being harassed by authorities in the Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled state.
Kharar legislator Balbir Singh Sidhu shot off a complaint to the state election commission saying that he feared for his life from Mohali Deputy Commissioner H.I.S. Grewal. He demanded para-military security cover for himself and threatened suicide if he continued to be harassed.
Punjab Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh said Sunday that a probe into the allegations would be initiated following Sidhu’s complaint.
“He called me up Saturday and I have asked him to make a written complaint,” said Singh.
Sidhu alleged that Grewal came to his residence Saturday and started hurling abuses even though he was not at home. He said that his family was shocked at Grewal’s behaviour.
He claimed that he was being targeted at the behest of Punjab Minister Kanwaljit Singh, whose son Bunny lost the election to him in the February 2007 assembly polls. The minister denied any role.
His complaint comes at a time when the zila parishad and panchayat elections are to be held in Punjab later in May.
Grewal, who is the returning officer, denied that he had gone to Sidhu’s house. He said that Sidhu was levelling the allegations as he was caught violating the election poll code.