Aides of MLA Bhagike, Tota Singh clash in Moga

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, November 25

A scuffle broke out between supporters of Nihal Singh Wala MLA Rajwinder Kaur Bhagike and Agriculture Minister Tota Singh over laying of foundation stone in Moga’s Bhagike village today.

The supporters of the two Akali leaders complained to the police.

The SAD has not fielded Rajwinder Kaur this time. Instead, SR Kler has been allotted the ticket from Nihal Singh Wala.

Rajwinder Kaur’s supporters today organised a function in her native village to honour her for several development projects she started. She was to lay a foundation stone as well.

Before the MLA could reach the village, supporters of a rival Akali faction allegedly removed the foundation stone, claiming Rajwinder Kaur had no right to lay the foundation stone after the SAD denied her the ticket.

The rival group led by Bhagike sarpanch Jatinder Kaur reportedly owes its allegiance to Tota Singh.

When Hardeep Singh, a panch and supporter of Rajwinder Kaur, opposed the rival faction, a scuffle broke out.

In a complaint to the police, Hardeep alleged the sarpanch and others made casteist remarks against the MLA and removed the foundation stone.

In a counter-complaint, Jatinder Kaur alleged the MLA’s supporters had broken a wall of a panchayat building without permission. “Breaking the wall to erect the ‘unauthorised’ foundation stone is an illegal act,” she said.

Dalbir Singh, SHO, Nihal Singh Wala police station, said the police were investing the matter.

Tota Singh and Rajwinder Kaur have been rivals for several years. She has blamed Tota Singh for not being fielded again.

Bhagike claimed it was her right to start any development work in a village of her constituency, as she was still an MLA. Tota Singh claimed to have no information about the incident.