Hoshiarpur:- Former Cabinet Minister and senior BJP leader Tikshan Sood raised questions over the working of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), stating that government schemes and official machinery are being blatantly misused during the municipal corporation and council elections. He remarked that AAP is deeply panicked by its potential defeat in the local body elections. Consequently, it is trying to save its credibility by hook or by crook, adopting the "Saam-Daam-Dand-Bhed" (any means necessary) formula of Kejriwal and Sisodia.
The Model Code of Conduct is in force across Punjab in view of the local body elections, under which neither government machinery can be utilized nor state welfare benefits can be distributed to the public. However, flouting the election code of conduct, the local MLA is distributing government flour, pulses, sugar, etc., under the 'Apni Rasoi' scheme in various neighborhoods, accompanied by their prospective election candidates. Even today, one such program has been scheduled at a depot in Railway Mandi.
The Election Commission, which shoulders the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections, is failing to take action due to government pressure. Under the electoral process in Hoshiarpur, the work of preparing voter lists has been completed, and the formal election schedule is yet to be announced. In such a scenario, the distribution of freebies through government schemes by the local MLA is completely wrong and is a gross violation of democracy and the code of conduct. 
Tikshan Sood demanded that AAP leaders must be stopped from seeking votes by luring people under the guise of government schemes so that fair elections can be conducted.