Poll violence: Congress workers protest outside CM’s residence
Sunday, 02/06/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130602/punjab.htm#1
Badal (Muktsar) : Two thousand Congress workers led by Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former MP Jagmeet Singh Brar today held a protest outside Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s residence at Badal village today.
As per the scheduled programme, the “Insaaf yatra” of the Congress began from Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Muktsar. The rally is being held to bring to book those who damaged nine vehicles on May 19 when the panchayat polls were held. Congress workers alleged that the government had falsely booked over 150 Congress workers for the violence. The yatra stopped at a few villages, including Mann village, and also passed through the streets of Gidderbaha.
The Congress leaders then entered Badal village where a huge posse of police was deployed. The Congressmen later reached outside the Chief Minister’s residence and sought an assurance from the CM that the cases slapped on the Congressmen would be revoked.
They accused Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Revenue Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia of shielding goons and promoting violence in Punjab. Jagmeet said, “The Congress will hold four conferences in Jalalabad, Lambi, Bathinda and Majitha to highlight the highhandedness of the police .”
Though Muktsar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Paramjit Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh tried to pacify the protesters, they continued the dharna. Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Bathinda range) Amar Singh Chahal also reached the spot. Muktsar DC Paramjit Singh said, “The protest was peaceful which is why Congress workers were allowed to enter Badal village and lodge their protest.”
The CM was due to come to his residence at Badal village today, but he cancelled his visit. The protest continued till the filing of this report and there was blackout in the village with the administration having turned off all street lights.
Rift in party
Infighting in the Congress was again visible today, as Muktsar MLA Karan Kaur Brar, Gidderbaha MLA Amrinder Singh ‘Raja’ Warring, and Congress Lambi constituency in-charge Maheshinder Singh Badal did not turn up at the rally.
