AAP-BJP standoff turns tense in Bathinda

Bathinda: Workers from AAP and BJP faced off outside the BJP's district office in Bathinda on Sunday over the AAP's statewide call to protest the recent arrest of industries minister Sanjeev Arora by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).Police struggled to maintain order, eventually defusing the situation. A large contingent of AAP supporters—led by MLAs Jagroop Singh Gill, Balkar Singh Sidhu, and Sukhbir Singh Maiserkhana—had marched toward the office to denounce alleged political vendetta. As they approached, BJP workers emerged with party flags, leading to a heated exchange of slogans. The standoff worsened when BJP workers, led by district president Sarup Chand Singla, began dismantling brooms and scattering the bristles, chanting, "Jhadu teela teela ho gya hai (the broom has been pulled apart)". This infuriated the AAP workers who charged towards the BJP members, but police intervened. AAP MLA Balkar Singh accused the BJP-led central govt of using the ED to harass its opponents. "After West Bengal, they have openly targeted Punjab using central agencies as tools. We will oppose this tooth and nail. BJP workers have shown utter disrespect toward our party symbol," he said. Singla of BJP said, "Multiple AAP leaders are embroiled in corruption, with several having already served jail time. The Bhagwant Mann govt should sack Arora. While they have a right to protest, we will not allow them to lay siege to our offices." MSID:: 130990674 413 |