Cover-up exercise by govt to shield Congress leaders, claims Harsimrat

CHANDIGARH : Union minister for food processing industries and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Sunday accused the Congress government in Punjab of carrying out a “cover-up exercise” to “save” some ruling party legislators from action in the hooch tragedy that has so far claimed 98 lives.

Harsimrat, who is MP from the Bathinda constituency, further alleged that chief minister Amarinder Singh was “shielding” the Congress leaders who had been “named” by the families of victims.

“A cover up exercise is on to save Congress MLAS from action for 86 deaths in Pb #hooch tragedy. Action must be taken against distilleries supplying ENA (extra neutral alcohol) to the MLAS’ associates. Condemnable that CM @capt_amarinder, who also holds Excise & Home, is shielding Congmen named by victim families (sic),” Harsimrat tweet on Sunday.

Demanding a probe by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the opposition Akali Dal had also asked the chief minister demanding that he steps down “owning moral responsibility for this horrendous crime”.