Punjab Congress launches offensive to counter BJP

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 6

To counter BJP’s allegations of the Congress hatching a conspiracy against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Punjab visit yesterday, the latter has gone on the offensive to counter the saffron party charge.

Leading the offensive, CM Charanjit Singh Channi said to cover up its failure to muster enough gathering at its Ferozepur rally, the BJP was diverting attention by creating a “false narrative” of PM Modi’s security being put at stake when his convoy was halted on way to Ferozepur.

There was no incident of stone pelting or him being shown black flags at the spot as the PM’s convoy had been stopped way behind the spot where the farmers has suddenly emerged on the road.

Countering the BJP’s stand of collusion between the government and agitating farmers, the party’s digital team has started sharing pictures of persons with BJP flag near PM’s convoy. AICC-appointed media coordinator for Punjab polls Alka Lamba said the PM himself had breached his security on different occasions. Now, it was being painted as a serious security lapse.

To buttress its claim, the Congress is playing an old video of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, who faced an angry protest from supporters of social activist Anna Hazare outside Golden Temple, Amritsar, in 2012. Still, the Congress PM did not make it a security issue, it claims.

Deputy CM Sukhjinder Randhawa said baseless allegations were being levelled against the state government. He said BJP leaders did not want to face its flop rally. Siding with the protesting farmers, the party accused the BJP of using violence on farmers, be it at the Delhi border or Lakhmpur Kheri. “But we are protecting them. The farmers of Punjab have given a befitting reply to Modi and BJP for not providing justice to the victims of Lakhimpur Kheri. Modi and BJP forced the farmers to protest against the three laws due to which 750 farmers lost their lives,” read one of the tweets of the PCC.

‘No stone-pelting, black flags’

• CM Channi claims there was no incident of stone pelting or PM being shown black flag. Congress’ digital team shares pictures of persons with BJP flag near the PM’s convoy
• It also shows 2012 video of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh facing protest by Anna supporters in Amritsar

Virtual poll panel meet tomorrow

Amid rising Omicron cases, the meeting of the Congress central election committee to clear the first list of candidates has been called virtually on January 8. Members of the AICC-appointed screening committee, including campaign committee chairman Sunil Jakhar, will also attend the meeting. TNS