category Regional, jalandhar, , tags Regional, jalandhar, , DW BUREAU Jalandhar The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today filed a complaint with the Election Commission asserting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was threatening Panchayati Raj officials as well as Sarpanches with dire action in case the AAP candidate did not register a lead in their respective areas. Giving details at a press conference here, senior SAD leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundur and Pawan Kumar Tinu revealed that Sarpanches of Adampur block were called to the Block Development Officer s office recently and threatened that cases would be opened against them and that they would face criminal action in case the AAP candidate did not register a lead in their villages. The leaders said Panchayati Raj Sub Division Officer (SDO) G S Randhawa threatened the Sarpanches after confiscating their mobile calls after thorough searches. The senior leaders in their complaint to the Election Commission said they were ready to present Sarpanches who were present at the meeting with the Panchayati Raj officer to substantiate their charge. They said the officer while addressing the Sarpanches said all officers had been threatened with similar action including suspension and transfer to border areas in case the AAP candidate did not register a lead in their areas. They said Panchayati Raj officer Randhawa was incharge of offices of the Adampur, Kartarpur and Jalandhar Cantonment constituencies. Meanwhile Mr Pawan Tinu said threats were also being issued to chemist shops and sweet shops owners. The owners of these shops are being forced to work for the success of the AAP candidate or face raids on their premises . Warning officers to work as per the law, Tinu said don t misuse your powers to interfere in the democratic functioning of the country . He also highlighted other violations of the model code of conduct including a vast number of hoardings put up across the country. (editor dailyworld.in)