By IANS,

Bathinda (Punjab) : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers Tuesday damaged buses and pulled down hoardings with pictures of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal here to protest alleged violence against BJP workers by activists of ruling alliance partner Akali Dal during panchayat polls.

The BJP workers took to the streets in this southwest Punjab town to vent their anger against the Akalis. They damaged two private buses of Orbit Transport Company, owned by Badal's family.

The BJP workers pulled down several hoardings, banners and posters carrying Badal and his son's pictures. Police reinforcements were rushed to contain the agitating BJP activists.

The panchayat elections Monday witnessed large-scale violence, including firing, clashes and booth capturing, mostly by ruling Akali Dal workers.

The Akalis and BJP are in a coalition government in the state since the last 14 months. State BJP leaders met in Chandigarh Tuesday to discuss the violence by Akali activists.

BJP central leader Balbir Punjab said that “all options were open” for the party, including pulling out from the alliance government. But that seemed unlikely and top state BJP leaders were expected to meet the chief minister to lodge their protest and seek action.