Farmers Movement Archive

Bedlam outside Congress office, as BJP leaders protest

LUDHIANA: Local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders sat on protest against state government outside Congress office at railway station road on Friday. For almost two and half hours, the BJP leaders continued their protest outside Congress office where police were deployed in large number. The protesting leaders also argued with police for not allowing them to reach the Congress office. They were demanding action against district youth Congress president Yogesh Handa and another leader Mohit Nagpal for their alleged attack at BJP office on Thursday. Protesters showed scant regard for social distancing and also some workers were without face masks. The BJP leaders condemned the Congress government for inciting the farmers against Union government and farm bills, which they said was to divert attention from its failure and “will take state towards terrorism days again”. The BJP leaders gathered outside Congress office at 9.30am and started protest from 10am that continued till 12.30pm. Initially, the BJP leaders sat under elevated road flyover in front of Congress office and raised slogans against Congress government and chief minister Amarinder Singh. Then they tried to enter the Congress office where they jostled with policemen. There was proper barricading outside Congress office and the force was deputed in large number. The BJP leaders threw bangles towards Congress office for hiding behind police cover. Though BJP district president Pushpinder Singal tried to enter the Congress office while crossing the barricading, cops did not let him break the security. When protesters could not enter the office, they marched towards MC zone A building and BJP ended the protest after paying floral tribute to the father of the nation. The BJP district president Singal said, “The Congress government failed to fulfil its promises to the public and now, when it is clear that voters will reject this government in the upcoming elections, CM Amarinder Singh and his leaders are trying to spoil peaceful environment of the state. This is the reason that Congress leaders entered the BJP office.” He said they have been demanding FIR and arrest of those leaders who attacked the BJP office and if police did not register the case, they will plan further course of action. Meanwhile, BJP state vice-president Parveen Bansal said the Congress workers have a right to protest but it cannot take place inside anybody's house or office. When asked about violation of Covid norms, especially social distancing, he admitted that BJP functionaries violated the norms but also pointed out that Congress leaders are violating the norms daily. He said they will not let Congress leaders to damage the peace of the state. When contacted, Congress district Ashwani Sharma said nobody entered the BJP office as protest took place at the first floor. He said the BJP is trying to create a scene without any reason just to gain mileage. Poster war The BJP leaders were trying to paste posters against CM Amarinder Singh on Thursday night but the police removed the posters from outside Congress office. Then again on Friday morning when BJP leaders had pasted posters, the Congress leaders tore away the posters.

The Times of India

2020-10-03

Ludhiana