The BJP-SAD alliance in Punjab alleged on Sunday, 15 October, that the ruling Congress party won the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha by-election by misusing the government machinery.
The Aam Aadmi Party, which finished a distant third, too, made similar allegations against the Congress. AAP nominee former Major Gen Suresh Khajuria accused the Congress party of using “undemocratic means” to win the by-election.
None of the parties offered any evidence to support their allegations.
Joshi and Salaria, however, said they will now request Jakhar to ensure the development of Gurdaspur constituency.
Commenting on the results of the bypoll, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Prem Singh Chandumajra said:
AAP's state unit president Bhagwant Mann said his party accepts the mandate and will introspect the reasons for the defeat.
Contrary to Congress' claims, Mann said the bypoll outcome would not set the tone for the 2019 general elections.
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