Chandigarh: Congress workers from across Punjab staged a protest against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt on Tuesday. Led by Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the party workers gathered outside the Punjab Congress Bhawan here before marching towards chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence.The police used water cannons to stop the protesters and prevent them from reaching the CM’s residence.Warring demanded the immediate dismissal and arrest of finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, alleging he was responsible for the death of Gulzar Singh, a resident of Dirba in the Sunam area of Sangrur district.Gulzar Singh died by suicide after being allegedly pressured by local AAP leaders to apologise to Cheema for questioning him over the supply of drugs in the area.The Punjab Congress chief said Gulzar Singh had stated in his dying declaration that Cheema was responsible for his suicide.Warring also referred to Mohanjit Singh of Sheron village, alleging he was subjected to “police brutality” for showing a black flag to the chief minister.The Ludhiana MP also questioned the CM’s silence over the protection granted to a rape accused.He alleged a secret understanding existed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah on one hand and Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann on the other.He further alleged that the BJP wanted the AAP to help it in Gujarat by dividing the anti-BJP votes and, in a quid pro quo, the saffron party would help the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab.This is why the Enforcement Directorate is playing a fixed match with the Punjab Police over the arrest of corruption accused, said the Congress functionary.He asked why the ED did not act as it did in the case of Congress leaders like Sadhu Singh, who was straightaway arrested. The ED did not ask the Punjab Police to register an FIR in that case. However, in the case of AAP leaders, it was dilly-dallying deliberately, Warring added.Lashing out at the AAP for inducting convicted gangsters like Gupreet Singh Sekhon into the party, the parliamentarian said that while the people of Punjab wanted to get rid of gangsters, the ruling party was inducting them and providing them with a political platform and power.He said Sekhon had been convicted and sentenced and was out just because the high court suspended his sentence. “What message are you giving to the people of Punjab?” Warring asked Mann.The PPCC chief also condemned the CM’s hostile attitude towards govt employees by denying them their rightful dearness allowances. Not only was govt refusing them the DA, but it was also treating them like enemies.Warring announced that he would show and wave black flags not in front of the chief minister, but right on his stage where he (Mann) would be speaking.The Lok Sabha member said that while police prevented him and his party workers from reaching the CM’s venue on Sunday, next time he would ensure that he reaches Mann’s stage, come what may.
