AAP joins pension stir in Patiala, farmer leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan leaves stage

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 24

Joginder Singh Ugrahan of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Ugrahan) on Tuesday lambasted political parties over the issues of the state and left the stage after AAP leaders Harpal Singh Cheema, Harchand Barsat and MLA from Delhi Ajay Dutt joined a protest organised by the CPF Workers’ Union for reimplementation of the old pension scheme in Patiala.

The leader, who had earlier been sitting at the centre of the stage, moved to a corner when AAP leaders reached the venue. Later, commotion ensued after Ugrahan’s statement from the stage. He said, “All political parties work under the influence of corporates. The issues of the old pension scheme, unemployment and the three farm laws spruce from the same.” Addressing the organisers, he said the union would offer outside support if they wanted to give political colour to their protest. “You shouldn’t have called us if you wanted us to share the stage with leaders of political parties. We wouldn’t have come,” he said and left the venue. Soon after, Harpal Singh Cheema also left the site. Cheema, in a press note issued later, said the issue of restoration of the old pension scheme would be included in AAP’s election manifesto.

Organisers said the gathering was held for the sole purpose of holding a protest to demand reimplementation of the old pension scheme. CPF Workers’ Union president Sukhjeet Singh said, “Anyone can come to the protest site. We did not invite any leader. We should not have an issue if a political leader supports our demands.”

The union was supposed to hold a protest march toward the residence of the Chief Minister but cancelled the programme after it was promised a meeting with the Chief Minister’s office.