NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH:
The BJP and Congress have stepped up attacks on the Punjab government following the alleged suicide of a 47-year-old man who had questioned Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the drug menace in his village.
The BJP demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Cheema, besides an FIR under provisions relating to abetment of suicide.
The deceased, Gulzar Singh, a daily wager from Dirba in Sangrur district, allegedly consumed poison after local AAP leaders pressured him to apologise for questioning Cheema during an event in the village on September 6.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Singh had told Cheema that his son was addicted to ‘chitta’ and urged the minister to act against the drug supply.
According to the BJP, after the minister left, a local AAP leader who is also the village sarpanch went to Singh’s house and allegedly asked him to apologise.
Bhatia demanded that those named by Singh in a video recorded before his death be booked for abetment of suicide. He also sought action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, claiming Singh belonged to a Scheduled Caste.
The Congress too attacked the AAP government and demanded Cheema’s removal.
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that Singh had been forced to take his own life after questioning the government over the drug menace.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also expressed concern over the incident, alleging that Singh had faced immense pressure after raising the issue of drug addiction.
The Shiromani Akali Dal demanded justice for Singh and alleged that he had been pushed to take the extreme step after questioning the minister about the availability of drugs.
Police have registered a case of abetment to suicide in connection with the death. The Punjab government and ruling AAP had not responded to the allegations at the time of the reports.These are structured for print/newsroom use, with allegations attributed to the respective parties and without presenting political claims as established facts.