A day after Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener, Arvind Kejriwal, said his party will sweep Punjab, his supporters on Sunday held a huge march against what they called the misrule of Akali Dal-BJP government in the state.
Billed as AAP Inquilab, the party workers marched towards the residence of Punjab chief minister, Prakash Singh Badal, in Chandigarh demanding the resignation of his corruption accused cabinet minister, Tota Singh.
The state is scheduled for crucial assembly elections in 2017. AAP, which had pulled off a surprise by winning four Lok Sabha seats in 2014 elections sees a huge opportunity in the next assembly polls.
We are not afraid to fight the corrupt.
Sack corrupt Minister Tota Singh. #AAPInquilab Zindabad pic.twitter.com/I73xApk9NP
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) December 6, 2015
The party’s demand for the sacking of Tota Singh emanates from his involvement in pesticide scam. The Punjab and Haryana High Court too had taken a note to Singh’s continuance as minister as the investigation was underway.
According to a report in The Tribune on 1 December, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued notice of motion to the State and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on a petition filed in public interest for Agriculture Minister Tota Singh’s removal from the cabinet for an independent probe into alleged pesticide scandal.
Taking up the petition filed by Sukhjeet Singh of Moga, the Division Bench of Justice Satish Kumar Mittal and Justice Shekher Dhawan also placed Tota Singh on notice. The Bench fixed January 22 as the next date of hearing.
However, on Sunday the protesters were prevented from arriving at Badal’s residence as police resorted to tear gas shelling and lathicharge leaving many AAP supporters injured. The party said that among those injured also included its women’s wing president Prof. Baljinder Kaur.
Women wing President Prof. Baljinder Kaur injured in protest.#AAPInquilab pic.twitter.com/s91el8rBwi
— Dola Basu Singh (@shiuli_dola) December 6, 2015
Women wing President Prof. Baljinder Kaur injured in protest.#AAPInquilab pic.twitter.com/s91el8rBwi
— Dola Basu Singh (@shiuli_dola) December 6, 2015
Women wing President Prof. Baljinder Kaur injured in protest.#AAPInquilab pic.twitter.com/s91el8rBwi
— Dola Basu Singh (@shiuli_dola) December 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/Airavta/status/673453708441595904
Punjab protests against Badals. Begining of their political end.#AAPInquilab pic.twitter.com/YVQBaZp9J5
— DrVatsa ਡੋਕ ਵੱਤਸ (@DocVatsa) December 6, 2015
AAP protests demanding resignation of Corrupt Minister Tota Singh.
Police used Water Canons & Tear Gas#AAPInquilab pic.twitter.com/N88pjQGqAx
— आजाद सफर (@S_aryan_Arya) December 6, 2015
Revolutions can't be CRUSHED,
History witnessed it many times,Punjab demands Badals RESIGNATION#AAPInquilab pic.twitter.com/2mVSBkza3u
— Kapil Bhardwaj (@_kapilb) December 6, 2015
"@AamAadmiParty: Protest March going ahead towards Badal's Home in Chandigarh ! #AAPInquilab Zindabad ! pic.twitter.com/gPTsaBxpnP"
— Aam Aadmi Group (@SLB_KR) December 6, 2015
Badals tear gas & water canons will not silence Punjabis & AAPians
Only way out for you: RESIGN#AAPInquilab https://t.co/aqV7BHBBl8
— Kapil Bhardwaj (@_kapilb) December 6, 2015