Maharashtra cops irk Akalis

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday wrote to the Election Commission and Union home ministry requesting them not to deploy state policemen for poll duties in Patiala and Bhatinda in Punjab.

Though the Akali Dal has not lodged a written plaint with the Election Commission, its prominent leaders such as Sukhbir Singh Badal objected to the deputation of Maharashtra policemen in Punjab.

Akali leaders said Maharashtra policemen, headed by DGP SS Virk could try to help the Congress candidate in Bathinda and Patiala.

Incidentally, the Punjab government, headed by the Akali Dal, had fought tooth and nail to stop Virk’s appointment as DGP of Maharashtra and had instituted several cases him in Punjab against Virk, who was earlier the DGP of Punjab.