BJP slapping false cases on protesters, stifling dissent: Cong

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 10

Reacting to BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh blaming Capt Amarinder Singh for letting loose ‘goondas’ in the state to stifle the voice of the saffron party, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Sunil Jakhar today said such allegations did not behove the general secretary of a national party. “They should remain in limits. It is strange that those who slap false cases of sedition against farmers are complaining about their voice being stifled,” he said.

Protest peacefully

PPCC president Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday said he did not favour violent protests by farmers against BJP leaders. Requesting farmers not to allow the BJP to defame the state, he said: “We are fighting the party’s injustice. How can we oppose the BJP if we ourselves indulge in violence and get provoked by its leaders’ statements?”

Meanwhile, days after state AAP co-in charge Raghav Chadha targeted the Congress’ alleged complicity in the passage of the Punjab Contract Farming Bill in 2013, asked him to get his facts corrected.

Coming in defence of the Chief Minister, Jakhar said the Punjab Contract Farming Bill was passed in March 2013, by the then SAD-BJP government and it was the Congress that had staged a walkout on the issue and its nine MLAs faced suspension and a police case.

Targeting the BJP in the same tone, Jakhar said senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia was a part of the SAD-BJP government when the contract farming legislation was passed.

Seeking an apology from Chadha for trying to defame Capt Amarinder Singh, the PPCC chief said the Congress had been completely in support of protecting the interest of the farming community.