SAD holds statewide protests against ‘Congress conspiracy’
AKALIS, RADICALS CLASH IN LUDHIANA, SADCONG FACEOFF AVERTED IN MAJITHA
LUDHIANA/AMRITSAR/PATIALA/
BATHINDA : Tension prevailed in several parts of Punjab as Akalis held statewide protests against the Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) Commission report on Saturday accusing the ruling Congress, parallel jathedars and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of being part of a conspiracy to defame the party. The protest was led by the party old guard, former and sitting MLAs and party candidates in last year’s polls.
In Ludhiana, some radical Sikhs entered into a scuffle with Akali supporters in the Clock Tower area. The radical faction was later rounded up by the police. SAD leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal said Congress and APP were playing with fire. The party hit out at the government for decision to take back cases from the CBI.
The party burnt effigies of chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, AAP rebel leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Congress president Rahul Gandhi at Baba Deep Singh Chowk in Model Town.
At Mandi Gobingarh, SAD workers and members of the Satkar Committee entered into a scuffle after slogans against Takht Damdama Sahib parallel jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal.
At Majitha, the police averted a clash between workers of SAD and Congress. Led by Talbir Singh Gill, political secretary of former minister and Majitha MLA Bikram Singh Majithia, the SAD workers gathered at main chowk of Majitha and burnt effigies of Rahul, Amarinder, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and Daduwal.
Former MLAs Harmeet Singh Sandhu, Virsa Singh Valtoha and Ravinder Singh Brahmpura led the demonstrations at Tarn Taran town, Bhikhiwind and Khadoor Sahib, respectively. At Faridkot, SAD leader and party candidate in last year’s polls Parambans Singh Romana accused the Congress government of disturbing communal harmony in the state.
Protests were held in Bathinda town, Rampura Phul, Talwandi Sabo, Sangat Mandi and Maur.
In Patiala, former minister Surjit Singh Rakhra led workers’ protest in Samana and SAD MLA Harinder Singh Chandumajra addressed the gathering in Sanaur. SAD workers also staged a protest near Amarinder’s residence in Patiala. SAD urban president Harpal Juneja said the Akali Dal does not need any certificate from the Congress.
In Mohali, SAD MP Prem Singh Chandumajra led the protest. “It is an old habit of the Congress to destroy Sikh institutions. The Congress failed to demean the Akal Takht under Indira Gandhi and it is now trying to kick up the political storm through a commission report,” he said. He also attacked Punjab assembly speaker Rana KP Singh.