CHANDIGARH: General Secretary of Samajwadi Janata Party (SJP) Om Parkash Chautala Saturday called for the immediate counting of Haryana assembly ballot papers so that a popular government can be installed in this northern Indian state at the earliest.

Addressing a press conference here Chautala expressed the apprehension that the ballot boxes would be tampered with in an effort to negate the mandate of the people in favor of the SJP now ruling at the center during the 20 day period till the poll process was completed in the country. He said his party was in the know of some officers having acted in a Partisan and biased manner in the elections held under the president’s rule.

Chautala came down heavily on state governor Dhanik Lal Mandal and some politics and civil officers who he alleged had been posted to “prized positions” to ensure the defeat of SJP in the elections.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 31, 1991