Punjab CM Badal files nomination, says SAD ready for polls

Muktsar (Punjab) [India], Jan. 12 (ANI): Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday filed his nomination papers from Lambi for the upcoming assembly elections. Addressing the media after filing his nomination papers, Badal said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was all set for the electoral battle. "We are always prepared (for the polls.) They have been voting for me since long and I am really thankful to them," he said. Meanwhile, Badal was also critical of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann for inciting mob in the poll-bound state and urged the Election Commission to look into the matter. "It is for the first time that such an incident has taken place in Punjab. They want to end the prevailing peace here and create violence," he said while taking on the AAP. In what comes as a major setback for the AAP looking to establish its political foothold in Punjab, the SAD has released a video showing Mann inciting a mob to pelt stones on Akali leaders. The ruling party in Punjab has approached the Election Commission in this regard. Meanwhile, Badal was also critical of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal for his unwarranted allegations against the opposition leaders. "No CM has the power to send anybody to jail, there are courts for it. Only the jailer can put a person behind bars not the CM. The Chief Minister's duty is to focus on development," he said. Kejriwal had earlier said that he would "drag" Punjab cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia "by his collar" to jail for his alleged role in a multi-million rupee drug racket in the state. The AAP supremo also alleged that Punjab's ruling Badal family and PCC chief Amarinder Singh have "plundered" the state during the last 15 years and have left it in deep financial crisis. Punjab will go for polls in a single-phase on February 4. The date of notification is January 11, the last date of nomination is January 18, the scrutiny of nomination will take place on January 19 and the withdrawal of candidature will take place on January 21. The term of the legislative assembly of Punjab will expire on March 18. (ANI)