Synopsis
Congress leaders criticize Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for political vendetta, accompanying Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa to the Mohali police station. Bajwa faces a case linked to remarks about bomb threats in the state. The leaders reaffirm their support for Bajwa, challenging the CM's actions and questioning police integrity.Key Takeaways
- Political vendetta allegations against CM Mann.
- Congress leaders stand united behind Bajwa.
- Calls for an inquiry into pro-Khalistan claims.
- Concerns over police conduct in Punjab.
- Bajwa's remarks about bomb threats stir controversy.
Chandigarh, April 15 (NationPress) Criticizing Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding political vendetta, Congress leaders joined Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa at the Mohali police station, where he was summoned in connection with a case stemming from his statement about 50 bombs being smuggled into the state, of which 18 have detonated and 32 remain.
The delegation included state Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, former Speaker Rana K.P. Singh, and former minister Brahm Mohindra.
Prior to their departure to Mohali, the Congress leaders and supporters convened at the Punjab Congress Bhawan, reaffirming that Bajwa's statements in an interview were accurate and that the party backed him.
Amarinder Singh Raja Warring warned the police not to yield to the political influences of AAP and compromise their integrity.
He emphasized that Congress will remember each officer who has threatened or harassed their leaders and supporters.
Warring noted that what Bajwa relayed to a news channel had already been reported by a major Hindi publication.
“Bajwa provided a comprehensive list of grenade attacks reported across the state, which the police initially dismissed as tyre bursts and cylinder explosions,” stated Warring.
Former Chief Minister Channi remarked that Chief Minister Mann should have shown some tact by contacting Bajwa to discuss the state's situation.
“Instead, he opted to file a first information report (FIR). Mann's role is no longer a theatrical display; he holds a significant position as Chief Minister. Troubling times loom over Punjab, and it is essential for everyone to collaborate. Yet, the Chief Minister chose to file an FIR against the Leader of Opposition,” Channi expressed.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Randhawa challenged the Chief Minister, questioning his vigilance in filing FIRs when no inquiry has been initiated regarding pro-Khalistan activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu's claims about financing the AAP campaign in 2017 and 2022.
Randhawa reinforced that Bajwa's statements on a television interview reflect the Congress party's position and urged Chief Minister Mann to clarify the origins of the grenades that were thrown at various police stations and other locations in the state.
He pointed out the contradiction between police claims of tyre bursts and encounters resulting in the death of a suspect.
During the event, Leader of Opposition Bajwa stated that had Chief Minister Mann understood the events in Punjab until 1992-93, he would grasp the gravity of the situation.
“He likely has never heard a gunshot in his life; how can he comprehend what transpired in Punjab?” he added.
In a jab at the Chief Minister regarding his comments about seeking legal counsel, Bajwa questioned if his associates like Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia emerged from Tihar without lawyers.
Additionally, he mentioned that the Mohali Police failed to provide him a copy of the FIR until a court intervened.
Mentioning the police's delivery of a summons to his residence, he asked whether the Chief Minister issued similar summons to those implicated in drug cases and those responsible for facilitating Lawrence Bishnoi's interviews with media outlets.
