Badal thanks Punjabis for peaceful conduct of Panchayat polls

Chandigarh, May 26 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today thanked people for peaceful conduct of the Panchayat elections in the state.

In a statement here, he said that polling remained totally peaceful, free and fair and this was a "triumph for grass-root democracy in the state. Punjabis voted with enthusiasm and responsibility to set an example for the rest for the country in dignified democratic conduct." The Chief Minister said that he was particularly happy over the massive turn-out of voters in the elections, with over 80 per cent of rural Punjabis taking part in the exercise.

"That a democratic exercise of such vast magnitude was conducted without any complaint being reported from anywhere totally vindicated our position that our commitment to democratic values has firmed-up the roots of popular governance in the state", he said.

"This has also exposed the irresponsible campaign of wild incriminations launched by some of our political detractors about the fairness of the poll", he added.

Nevertheless, Mr Badal said that he was grateful to everyone, including the Opposition parties, for their co-operation in making this exercise a grand success.

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