Bansal targets BJP, Tandon hits back

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Sevice

Chandigarh, July 19

While former Congress MP Pawan Kumar Bansal critcised the BJP on Twitter over the recent farmers protest episode, former city BJP chief Sanjay Tandon slammed his statement.

Referring to yesterday’s protest by the ruling party, the former Union minister, tweeted: “Amused to see the BJP taking to the streets against @ssptfcchd (city police) regarding the farmers’ protest at a BJP function. Tactful handling, not rulers’ arrogance, could have prevented the incident. The police are targeted though it did their bidding to book the farmers in non-bailable cases.”

“Farmers are protesting peacefully against three black laws for over 10 months, but government slaps serious criminal charges against them?” he posted.

Replying to Bansal, the Himachal BJP co-head, Tandon, wrote: “Maybe the @INCIndia (Congress) has forgotten the meaning of peaceful protest. Mr @pawanbansal_chd isn’t aware what is happening in the city, in the name of farmers, goons are operating their agendas, I was attacked with lathis, rods, stones and videos are also available.”

“Nobody is against dharna or agitation but taking law in own hand is highly deplorable,” he added. Earlier, even MP Kirron Kher had sought strictest action from the PMO against the “brutal attack.”

The BJP had yesterday took out a protest march against the violence demanding action against the police for negligence against those involved in violence.

It was on Saturday that vehicles of city Mayor Ravi Kant Sharma and Tandon were attacked during a protest held in support of farmers near the Sector 48 motor market.

Their vehicles were allegedly attacked with rods and sticks. The duo escaped unhurt.

However, the Mayor’s driver received minor bruises. A day before the attack, a group of men had posted a video asking people to come to the BJP’s event in the motor market to protest against Sanjay Tandon. A complaint was also filed by Tandon in this regard.