Punjab news: AAP, BJP men clash over minister Sanjeev Arora’s arrest
The sharpest confrontation was witnessed in Ludhiana where AAP workers gathered outside the BJP office and raised slogans against the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Tension prevailed in several parts of Punjab on Sunday after workers of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP came face to face during protests over the arrest of Minister Sanjeev Arora by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.
The AAP organised protests across the state, alleging misuse of law enforcement agencies by the BJP-led Centre against Opposition leaders, while BJP leaders accused the ruling state party of trying to create unrest in Punjab and demanded the resignation of Arora and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The sharpest confrontation was witnessed in Ludhiana where AAP workers gathered outside the BJP office and raised slogans against the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP workers also assembled at the spot and raised slogans against AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal and the Punjab Government.
Related news: ‘Serious allegations’: Court sends Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora to 7-day ED custody
The situation turned tense as workers from both parties engaged in heated exchanges. Police personnel intervened and formed a barricade between the two groups to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control. A BJP worker was reportedly injured during the commotion.
BJP activists allegedly threw brooms at the AAP protesters, while AAP workers burnt an effigy of PM Modi. In retaliation, BJP workers burnt effigies of Kejriwal and Mann. The AAP protest in Ludhiana was led by Cabinet Minister Hardip Singh Mundian along with MLAs Ashok Prashar Pappi, Kulwant Singh Sidhu and Bhola Grewal.
In Bathinda, workers of both parties again came face to face outside the BJP office near Mittal Mall. BJP workers led by former MLA Sarup Chand Singla raised slogans against the Punjab Government and sought the resignation of Sanjeev Arora.
Simultaneously, AAP workers led by party MLAs accused the BJP of using the ED as a political tool and termed the action against Arora politically motivated.
A similar confrontation was reported from Balachaur, where tempers flared during a protest by AAP workers. BJP leaders alleged hooliganism and vandalism by AAP workers, while AAP leaders claimed BJP activists provoked the situation by making videos and levelling accusations.
