Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Wednesday questioned the Akali Dal (Badal) leadership over its alleged links with the accused in the recent Fazilka firing incident, claiming that the two men had 23 criminal cases registered against them and photographs with members of the Badal family.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu referred to an incident in Fazilka in which a man travelling with a child was allegedly chased and fired upon. He said an FIR had been registered at Fazilka Sadar Police Station under Sections 109 and 3/5 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 25 of the Arms Act.
According to Pannu, the accused have been identified as Gurwinder Singh, son of Bachittar Singh, and Davinder Singh, both residents of Fazilka. He claimed that Gurwinder Singh had 17 previous cases registered against him, while Davinder Singh had six, including cases under the Arms Act.
Displaying photographs of the two accused with Akali leaders, Pannu questioned their alleged association with the Badal family. He claimed that the photographs showed them with Bikram Singh Majithia, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harsimrat Kaur Badal. He further alleged that the accused had visited the Badal family's residence on several occasions.
Pannu also criticised the previous SAD-BJP government, which ruled Punjab from 2007 to 2017, alleging that gangsterism, drug-related activities and political patronage had flourished during its tenure.
Referring to the murder of an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) who had intervened to protect his daughter, Pannu alleged that the attackers celebrated over the victim's body and raised slogans in support of an Akali leader. He also mentioned the Mand incident and the Rano Wala sarpanch controversy while questioning the Akali leadership's alleged association with people facing criminal allegations.
Responding to opposition criticism over the law-and-order situation, Pannu asserted that Punjab's security was in safe hands under the Bhagwant Mann government. He also referred to a recent press conference by Punjab DGP, during which comparative figures regarding the state's law-and-order situation were presented.
The AAP leader further accused opposition parties of overlooking the government's achievements in sports, agriculture and industrial development. He highlighted India's victory in an international hockey tournament hosted in Punjab, the expansion of canal irrigation coverage to nearly 88 per cent of agricultural land and improved daytime electricity supply for farmers.
He also claimed that industrial activity in the state had received a boost under the present government, contrasting it with the previous regimes. Referring to Gobindgarh, Pannu alleged that the chimneys of industrial units had fallen silent during the 2007-2017 period.
Pannu said the Mann government had ended several practices associated with previous regimes, including the diversion of canal water through makeshift pipelines, while improving daytime electricity supply to farmers.
Accusing traditional political parties of focusing on targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann rather than acknowledging the government's work, Pannu said the AAP government remained committed to development, public welfare, agriculture and security.
He expressed confidence that the Aam Aadmi Party would return to power in Punjab in the 2027 Assembly elections.
