Ludhiana, April 14 -- Twelve days after municipal councillor Sarvdeep Singh Kalirav switched from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Khanna municipal council on Monday demolished 11 shops owned by him, which he alleged was an act of political vendetta.

The demolition was carried out under police deployment, with three deputy superintendents of police and four station house officers present at the site.

Residents and supporters gathered at the site as the drive progressed and raised objections, but the operation continued.

Kalirav alleged that the demolition was undertaken without prior notice and said the construction had approvals in place. He claimed that all requisite fees had been paid and termed the action politic...