Punjab AAP Leader Hospitalized After Getting Shot in Argument with Akali Leader in Jalalabad

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Mandeep Singh Brar was injured in a shooting incident in Punjab’s Fazilka district, allegedly involving a member of the rival party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

Brar sustained a bullet wound and was initially treated at a government hospital in Jalalabad before being referred to a medical center in Ludhiana due to his critical condition. The shooting reportedly occurred outside the office of the block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) after a heated argument.

‘Unfortunate attack’

“Violence has no place in our democracy. The unfortunate attack on our sarpanch candidate in Jalalabad is deeply concerning. The @AamAadmiParty believes in peace, development, and fairness for all. We stand strong against criminal mindsets and urge authorities to take swift action,” said Neel Garg, senior spokesperson for AAP in Punjab.

On Saturday, Jalalabad AAP MLA Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy claimed that SAD leader Vardev Singh Mann had fired a bullet at the party’s leader. Reports indicate that Mann, the son of former MP Zora Singh Mann, had visited the BDPO office to inquire about a file related to a school but was denied assistance. Following the refusal, tensions escalated outside the office, leading to a confrontation between Mann and Brar, during which the shot was reportedly fired.

Over 52,000 nominations for the posts of ‘sarpanch’ and more than 1.66 lakh nominations for ‘panch’ have been received for the October 15 panchayat polls. Elections to 13,229 gram panchayats will be held on October 15. “The total number of 52,825 nominations have been received for Sarpaches and 1,66,338 nominations have been received for Panches in the Gram Panchayat Elections,” according to a statement issued by the Punjab State Election Commission.

Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said completion of the scrutiny process will be tabulated separately after getting information from all the deputy commissioners. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 7. Votes will be counted on the same day at polling stations.