Even as the spurious liquor tragedy in Punjab continues to claim more lives—117 deaths so far—the political crisis in the ruling Congress too has intensified. A day aftertwo Congress Rajya Sabha MPs, Partap Singh Bajwa and Shamsher Singh Dullo, approached Punjab Governor V. P. Singh Badnore, accusing the state government of shielding liquor mafia, the state high command sought action against the duo.
Punjab Congress chief Sunil Kumar Jakhar dubbed the move by the MPs “brazen indiscipline” and has written to Sonia Gandhi, seeking action against the duo. “They are indulging in petty politics, using a tragedy to attack their own government. They had bitten the hand that fed them and clearly have no positive contribution in government. Such indiscipline and backstabbing will not be tolerated and we have sought action against them,” said Jakhar.
Reacting to the development, the MPs have clarified that they had responsibility towards people and it was part of their duty to correct the government wherever it is going wrong.
Meanwhile, in line of fire over the tragedy, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said his government was dealing with the tragedy as a mass murder and will strictly punish every single person involved in same. “He may be a politician, a public servant, a supplier or transporter; we will not leave anybody. The entire police force of the state has been put in action to get to the bottom of this and we are progressing with the arrests. I would request everybody not to indulge in petty politics and contribute in a positive manner,” said Singh.
Earlier in the day, AAP MP Bhagwant Mann led a protest march to a farm house near Chandigarh where the chief minister is reportedly quarantining himself. As the protesters tried to reach the farm house, they were stopped by the police, leading to an altercation in violation of social distancing norms. Majority of the protesters, including party MLAs, had no mask on.
The SAD, meanwhile, sought a special assembly session as his own party MPs had expressed no confidence in the government.
Paint store owner arrested
Punjab Police arrested a Ludhiana-based paint store owner allegedly responsible for triggering the chain of events that led to the death of 117 persons. The accused, Rajiv Joshi, had allegedly supplied three drums of methanol which was used to prepare the spurious liquor.
The police have so far arrested 184 people and efforts are on to nab others. A total of 5,943 liters of illicit liquor have been recovered, along with eight working stills in the statewide raids.
