Raja Warring demands Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema’s dismissal over Gulzar Singh’s death; raises concerns over police conduct, law and order and employees’ DA

Chandigarh, 08 September (H.S.):Thousands of Congress workers from across Punjab staged a protest against the Aam Aadmi Party government on Tuesday. Led by Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, workers gathered outside Congress Bhawan and began marching towards the Chief Minister’s residence. A large police contingent stopped the march at barricades.

Addressing the gathering, Warring demanded the immediate dismissal and arrest of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, alleging that he was responsible for the suicide of Gulzar Singh of Dirba. Warring claimed that Gulzar Singh had named Cheema in his dying declaration. The allegation was made by the Congress leader and has not been established by a court.

Warring also raised the alleged police assault on Mohanjit Singh of Sheron village, saying he had been targeted for showing a black flag to the Chief Minister. He questioned the Chief Minister’s silence over alleged protection being given to an accused in a rape case.

The PCC president alleged that there was a secret understanding between BJP leaders Narendra Modi and Amit Shah and AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. He claimed that the arrangement involved AAP dividing anti-BJP votes in Gujarat in exchange for BJP support in Punjab.

Warring further accused the Enforcement Directorate of deliberately delaying action against certain AAP leaders. Comparing the situation with the arrest of Congress leader Sadhu Singh Dharmsot, he questioned why the agency was not applying similar standards. These allegations represent Warring’s political claims.

Criticising the induction of Gurpreet Singh Sekhon into AAP, Warring said the ruling party was providing a political platform to individuals with criminal backgrounds. He claimed that Sekhon had been convicted and sentenced, with the High Court suspending his sentence.

The Congress president also criticised the government over pending dearness allowance for employees, accusing it of treating them with hostility rather than addressing their demands.

Reaffirming his loyalty to Congress, Warring said he would remain committed to the party regardless of the position he held. He urged workers to support every official Congress candidate in the forthcoming elections.

Warring also announced that he would continue protesting with black flags at the Chief Minister’s public programmes and intended to reach the stage at a future event.

All 25 District Congress Committee presidents participated in the protest. Senior leaders present included Rana KP Singh, Amit Vij, Balbir Sidhu, Brahm Mohindra, Kuljeet Nagra, Shamsher Singh Dullo, Gurjeet Aujla, Dalvir Goldy, Dr Raj Kumar Verka, Sadhu Singh Dharmsot and several others.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH