Punjab AAP president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Wednesday accused Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu of indulging in “gundagardi” (hooliganism) and using objectionable language against police personnel in Dhuri. Arora said his party strongly condemns Bittu’s behaviour and called it unacceptable.
The incident took place on Tuesday when Bittu, Minister of State for Railways, had a heated exchange with police in Sangrur’s Dhuri. Police had detained BJP leader Onkar Singh for campaigning during the mandatory poll “silent period,” and Bittu was demanding his release.
Bittu was stopped by police from going to Dhuri to secure Singh’s release. He accused the AAP government of misusing state machinery. Voting for the Punjab civic polls was held on Tuesday.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Aman Arora said Bittu behaved in a “gundagardi” manner and strongly criticised him. Calling his conduct “shameless,” Arora said it was unacceptable for a senior leader of a national party to behave in such a way.
Arora added that rules do not allow outsiders after the campaign period ends, but Singh was still present in the area. He also said when police were performing their duty and trying to explain the situation, Bittu allegedly called a senior Superintendent of Police rank officer “a gunda.”
When asked if the Punjab government will take action against Bittu, Arora said the Chief Minister would decide on the matter.
On a separate question about the Supreme Court upholding the Election Commission’s power to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Arora said he was not fully aware of the details.
However, he said “I had earlier said that we are not afraid of SIR or such exercise. We have apprehension about the intention of the ECI, which is conducting the SIR. If the ECI works like a wing of the BJP, then the entire such exercise becomes meaningless. If this exercise becomes meaningless, then no objective is left behind conducting the SIR. What happened in West Bengal, where 91 lakh votes were deleted? He further said, "If the SC gave its approval, we agree to it, we respect the SC." The SC on Wednesday upheld the power of the Election Commission to conduct the SIR, saying the exercise "advances the constitutional imperative of free and fair elections".
Also read: Punjab civic polls see 61.5 pc turnout amid sporadic clashes
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