Chandigarh: Intensifying its attack on chief minister Bhagwant Mann over the alleged sacrilege-related video controversy, the Punjab Congress on Wednesday announced a boycott of the chief minister, demanded his immediate resignation and sought registration of an FIR against him under the state’s new sacrilege law.The party also demanded the dismissal of two Punjab Police officers accused of procuring a “false and fabricated” forensic report allegedly aimed at disproving the findings of the Akal Takht. Congress leaders said the officers should be removed from service under Article 311 of the Constitution and face criminal proceedings.Addressing a joint press conference, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, MLAs Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Pargat Singh, and AICC joint treasurer Vijay Inder Singla reiterated the demand for Mann’s resignation.Warring said the Congress was united in its stand that Mann must step down and present himself before the Akal Takht to seek forgiveness. Referring to the FIR registered in Gurgaon, he alleged that it had exposed attempts by the AAP govt to cover up “falsehoods”.Channi described Mann as a “serial offender” who had repeatedly hurt Sikh sentiments and announced that no Punjab Congress leader would have any personal or political interaction with him. He also alleged that Rs 10 lakh had been spent to prove the Akal Takht wrong.Randhawa said the Congress was unanimous in demanding FIRs against Mann, finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, AAP leader Baltej Pannu and the two police officers allegedly involved in the matter. He also sought an inquiry into the source of the alleged Rs 10 lakh expenditure and questioned who paid hotel bills amounting to Rs 28,000 per room per day.Pargat Singh alleged that the AAP govt had surpassed even the Akali Dal in undermining Sikh institutions and urged the director general of police to register an FIR over what he described as a sustained campaign against the Akal Takht jathedar.Khaira alleged that Mann was directly challenging the authority of the Akal Takht and claimed the controversy had fully exposed the chief minister.
