Congress rally in Punjab targeted by firing following Kanhaiya Kumar attack

In a disturbing turn of events, violence erupted at the rally of Congress Lok Sabha candidate Gurjeet Singh Aujla in Ajnala town near Amritsar on Saturday, resulting in an individual sustaining injuries, as confirmed by the police. This incident unfolded just a day after another Congress candidate, Kanhaiya Kumar, was assaulted in Delhi, highlighting the escalating tensions in the election arena.

Allegations and Counterclaims

Gurjeet Singh Aujla, the incumbent MP contesting again from Amritsar, wasted no time in pointing fingers at the AAP, an INDIA bloc partner, regarding the violence at his rally. Aujla alleged that a relative of AAP candidate Kuldeep Dhaliwal was responsible for the firing and questioned the Election Commission's failure to confiscate weapons prior to polling.

In response, AAP Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal refuted these allegations, stating, "I don't have any relative in that area. I learned that MP Gurjeet Aujla levelled allegations against me, saying that my relative was involved in the firing incident." Dhaliwal emphasised that the AAP prioritises issue-based campaigning over mudslinging, urging political opponents to refrain from such tactics.

Political Dynamics and Seat-Sharing

Despite their alliance at the national level, the Congress and AAP are contesting separately for Punjab's 13 seats, with a 4:3 (AAP-Congress) seat-sharing arrangement in Delhi. This divergence underscores the complex political landscape in the region as parties vie for electoral supremacy.

Security Concerns and Election Dynamics

Security concerns have heightened as incidents of violence mar the election campaigns. The injured individual from the Ajnala firing incident is receiving medical attention, and investigations are underway to ascertain the motives behind the attack. Meanwhile, the assault on Kanhaiya Kumar underscores the volatile nature of electioneering in key battlegrounds like Delhi.

Lok Sabha Polls Amidst Turmoil

As Punjab gears up for voting on June 1 in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha polls, political parties are grappling with escalating tensions and security challenges. The Congress, having secured eight of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab in 2019, faces renewed competition from the AAP, which secured a significant victory in the 2022 assembly polls, signalling a shifting political landscape in the state. The BJP, represented by former Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, is also in the fray, highlighting the multi-cornered electoral contest gripping the region.