Hindustan Times (Patiala)

THINGS ARE SAME FOR US: MAJITHA CONGMEN

- HT Correspond­ent letterschd@hindustant­imes.com

MAJITHA (AMRITSAR): Local Congress leaders on Monday publicly complained to Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and Gurdaspur MP Sunil Kumar Jakhar that the regime might have changed in Punjab, but things have not changed for them as they still continue to feel ‘oppressed’.

Addressing a rally organised at Naven Naag village near Majitha by PPCC general secretary Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lali Majithia, who is a three-time unsuccessf­ul rival of Bikram Singh Majithia in assembly elections, Congress leader Balwinder Singh said, “With the change of the regime in Punjab, we have got no relief as false cases slapped against us remain as such. No false case, registered during the Akali regime, has been dropped so far”.

“The practice of registerin­g false cases against the Congress rank and file still continues even in the Congress regime. We don’t fear, but we get upset when a false case is registered against any of our relative”, said Raju Bhilowal.

“There is no change in the indifferen­t attitude of the police and the administra­tion. For instance, when we produce gangsters before the police. Instead of taking action against them, the police tell us who gave us the right to nab gangsters. The administra­tion is also noncoopera­tive,” he added.

Another local leader Mohan Singh said, “We were

oppressed during the 10-year SAD-BJP regime. Our party has been in power for the past one-and-a-half years, but excesses still continue against us”. Jakhar said, “I feel your pain caused by the Akalis”. He acknowledg­ed that still Congress workers are facing hardships.

All the speakers, including Ajnala MLA Harpartap Singh Ajnala, and district president (rural) Bhagwantpa­l Singh Sachar, demanded a key post for Lali Majithia in the state government saying that he has been fighting the influentia­l Akali minister. Some other speakers also wanted a key post for him.

“Empowering Lali Majithia is need of the hour so that the oppressed party workers get some respite,” said Tarsem Singh Sialka, leader of the SC wing of the Congress. Jakhar assured considerat­ion of their demand.

Congress leaders claimed that more than four dozen Akali workers, including sarpanches, joined the party on the occasion. They honoured them in the rally. Ajnala and Attari MLA Tarsem Singh DC also addressed the gathering. Three cabinet ministers, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhbrinde­r Singh Sarkaria and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who were scheduled to come, skipped the rally.

DEMAND A KEY POST IN STATE GOVT FOR PPCC GENERAL SECY SUKHJINDER RAJ SINGH LALI MAJITHIA

 ?? SAMEER SEHGAL/HT ?? Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunil Kumar Jakhar (second from right) inducting a SAD worker into the Congress at Majitha on Monday.
SAMEER SEHGAL/HT Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunil Kumar Jakhar (second from right) inducting a SAD worker into the Congress at Majitha on Monday.

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