BJP leaders slammed Chief Minister Channi for being subservient only to the Gandhi family and party leader, Priyanka Gandhi and not to the country's Constitution.
New Delhi: After the Supreme Court on Wednesday, January 12, announced the setting up of a panel headed by former judge Justice Indu Malhotra, the BJP has stepped up its attack on the Channi government's role in the entire episode.
"Who in Congress sought to benefit from the breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security?" Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani said at a press conference. She questioned, "Why did the Punjab Chief Minister brief a private citizen (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) on the Prime Minister's security protocol and the breach? Why is the private citizen, who is a part of the Gandhi family, an interested party?"
The remarks are significant, as Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi triggered a political row after he said he had 'briefed' Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on everything that happened at Ferozepur on January 5 during the Prime Minister's visit to the state.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted, "Congress leaders once again expose their sycophancy towards the Gandhi family. The Punjab CM briefing a non-constitutional authority raises questions on who scripted the whole plot compromising PM Narendra Modi ji's security and risking his life."
Other BJP leaders slammed Chief Minister Channi for being subservient only to the Gandhi family and party leader, Priyanka Gandhi and not to the country's Constitution.
At the briefing, Union Minister Ms Irani said, "I reiterate our questions to Congress high command. Why were security measures deliberately breached due to the active connivance of the Congress-led government in Punjab?" She also referred to reports in a section of the media, including electronic media, that claimed that no adequate arrangements were made to ensure security to the PM’s convoy.
“I had asked a few questions to the Congress government…..Today a television channel shows the statements of Punjab Police. No arrangement was made for the security of the Prime Minister," the Minister remarked. "Thus, the question remains at whose behest did the DGP give the route clearance order?” Smriti Irani said the security lapse was both condemnable and a punishable offense.
Ferozepur Deputy Superintendent of Police Sukhdev Singh said that a report was sent to the Additional Director General of Police on January 2 regarding protesters' plan to stop traffic on crucial roads and prevent BJP workers from reaching PM Modi’s rally.
“The Baldev Singh Zira group (Bharatiya Kisan Union Krantikari – Phul) had planned earlier to assemble. I informed the Senior Superintendent of Police. They marched and broke barricades. When they staged the blockade, we informed again," a senior police officer reportedly says.
Meanwhile, Congress MP from Punjab's Anandpur Sahib, Manish Tewari has said, "Punjab requires a CM who has solutions to Punjab's challenges, capacity to take tough decisions. Punjab needs serious people whose politics is not social engineering, entertainment, freebies and NOT regime favourites rejected by people in successive elections."
A Bench led by CJI NV Ramana said that former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Indu Malhotra, will head the special panel to probe into the security lapse during Mr Modi's visit to Punjab. The other members of the panel are DG of the NIA or an Inspection General level officer nominated by him, police chief of Union Territory of Chandigarh, ADGP (Security) of Punjab, and the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
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