Arrest Cong nominee Ladi, demand opposition parties

SHAHKOT (JALANDHAR): Amid the ongoing controversy over a case of illegal sand mining registered against Congress’ Shahkot bypoll candidate Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia, both the opposition parties — Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — on Wednesday demand his arrest.

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, interacting with the media on the sidelines of a rally before party candidate Naib Singh Kohar filed his nomination, said, “If any criminal comes to the office of a magistrate, it is his duty to get him arrested. Ladi Sherowalia is a criminal (accused) under a nonbailable offence; how can he appear before any government officer?”

Ladi is expected to file his nomination before the sub-divisional magistrate on Thursday.

Reacting to state Congress president Sunil Jakhar’s statement that SAD has double standards in seeking arrest in an FIR — SAD had held protest over alleged false FIRs against its supporters — Sukhbir said, “If protesting is an offence, Congress can arrest us! Mahatma Gandhi ji had also protested; was that a criminal act?”

‘WHY IS RAHUL SILENT?’

Alleging that “it’s clear that money changed hands in the award of the party ticket to Ladi”, the former deputy CM further said, “There can be no other reason for the stoic silence of the Congress high command, including (party president) Rahul Gandhi, on this issue.”

Former minister Bikram Majithia said the Congress government is indulging in doublespeak on illegal mining.

The SAD also demanded “protection” for Parminder Singh Bajwa, the station house officer who registered the FIR against Ladi.

‘SHIFTING FOCUS’

Meanwhile, AAP’s Sukhpal Singh Khaira, leader of opposition in the assembly, said that, by holding a press conference to defend Ladi, CM Capt Amarinder Singh “indulged in a vicious debate just to shift the focus from Ladi’s hanky-panky dealings”. Khaira was accompanying party candidate Rattan Singh for filing his nomination.

On a commendation disc having been given to SHO Bajwa in January — SAD, too, raised the issue — Khaira said sarcastically, “Till the SHO was doing his work according to the government he was not mentally upset nor was he indulging in any ‘immoral’ activities, but now that he has registered a case against the Congress candidate, he no more remains a meritorious officer!”

› If protesting is an offence, Congress can arrest us! Mahatma Gandhi ji had also protested; was that a criminal act?

SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL, SAD chief