A day after high drama in Sangrur and Dhuri, where Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu confronted Sangrur police over the detention of Onkar Singh — once a close aide of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and now a BJP leader — the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a sharp attack on the BJP leader, calling his “gundagardi” beyond tolerance.
“What Bittu did in Sangrur yesterday was a clear example of BJP’s working style and their Bengal model that they desperately want to replicate in the poll-bound state,” said AAP state president Aman Arora.
Onkar Singh, who had earlier served as OSD to CM Bhagwant Mann till two years ago before joining the BJP, was detained by Sangrur police on Tuesday morning. He was accused of campaigning in Dhuri for the civic polls despite being an outsider and allegedly being required to leave the area on Sunday.
After a day of high drama, he was released by police after being produced before the Duty Magistrate on Tuesday evening.
Arora also took potshots at Bittu, questioning his criticism of Punjab Police while pointing to his family link in the force.
He cited Bittu’s alleged remarks against police officers, including Sangrur SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal, and asked why he had earlier got his own brother appointed as DSP in Punjab Police during the Congress government.
Arora alleged that Bittu’s brother, Guriqbal Singh, was appointed as DSP during the Capt Amarinder Singh regime on compensatory grounds, claiming that rules were bent to facilitate the appointment.
After civic polls to 103 local bodies, where most clashes reportedly occurred between ruling AAP and BJP, Arora also accused the saffron party of being “anti-Dalit” and “anti-women”.
“The Punjab Police fought terrorism and brought peace to the state. Now you call them ‘gunda’. He even threatened the SSP, saying he was sparing her because she is a woman,” Arora said, questioning whether Bittu and the BJP consider themselves above the law.
When asked whether an FIR would be registered against Bittu, Arora said it was the prerogative of the Chief Minister. “I am speaking here only as AAP president and I strongly condemn Bittu’s actions yesterday,” he added.
