Tension prevailed at the SDM Office Complex in Mansa on Monday afternoon after supporters of Independent candidate for the municipal council election from Ward 18, Arpit Chaudhary, staged a protest over allegations that his nomination papers were being rejected. During the commotion, they gheraoed AAP MLA Vijay Singla, who had arrived there, and raised slogans against him. Police personnel present at the spot escorted the MLA as he hurriedly left in his SUV.A large number of Chaudhary’s supporters had already gathered at the SDM Office Complex. The situation remained tense, prompting the police to increase security in and around the office complex.Chaudhary reportedly enjoys the support of both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Earlier in the day, he released a video claiming that he had received information that his nomination papers were being rejected. In the video, he appealed to his supporters to reach the SDM Office Complex in large numbers.Meanwhile, in Faridkot district, senior SAD leader Parambans Singh Bunty Romana appealed to the civil administration to work fairly during the scrutiny of nominations today or be prepared to face legal action.“I have reports that some officers, at the behest of the AAP leadership, were trying to reject the nominations of our candidates in Faridkot town. Some AAP and Congress activists have filed bogus objections against our candidates over issues such as planters lying on the street, a ramp outside a house, etc. I warn them that I have photographic evidence against some officers, and I will drag them to the High Court,” alleged Bunty.