Sachin Pilot 'unites' Congress; brings Channi and Warring together on one stage
PTC Web Desk: Punjab Congress leaders came together on Tuesday for a protest march over the death of Gulzar Singh, with party in-charge Sachin Pilot leading the demonstration towards the residence of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema.
The protest saw several senior Congress leaders sharing the same platform, including Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.
The gathering was seen as a public show of unity within the state Congress, which has often faced differences between various leaders and groups.
Also Read | Chandigarh Police detain Sachin Pilot, Raja Warring as Congress protest against Harpal Cheema over Gulzar Singh's death
Addressing party workers, Sachin Pilot said there was no factionalism in the Punjab Congress and asked workers to approach him directly if their concerns were not being heard by any party leader.
Pilot also said the party would give greater importance to young leaders and workers. He told party workers that Congress would remain at the forefront of the political fight in Punjab.
He said his experience of working both in government and in opposition had prepared him to deal with any situation.
Pilot also made a public gesture of unity by holding hands with Charanjit Singh Channi and Raja Warring on the stage.
Chandigarh Police stop protest march
The protest march was stopped by the Chandigarh Police before it could reach its destination. Pilot, Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa were taken into custody by the police.
Channi and other leaders from his group took part in the march but did not accompany Warring to the police station.
Pilot demands independent probe
Speaking at the protest, Pilot demanded an independent investigation into Gulzar Singh's death. He also sought the inclusion of Finance Minister Harpal Cheema's name in the FIR.
Questioning the Punjab Government's handling of the case, Pilot said he had no personal dispute with Cheema but argued that the minister held a constitutional position and therefore the allegations should be properly investigated.
Pilot said if a person dies by suicide and leaves behind a video naming someone as a reason for taking the extreme step, the allegations should be investigated and an FIR should be registered.
Congress attacks AAP over drug issue
Pilot also targeted the Aam Aadmi Party government over the drug problem in Punjab. He alleged that the drug crisis in the state had reached a serious level and accused the government of failing to fulfil its election promises.
Pilot claimed that illegal drugs were now easily available across Punjab and alleged that the state was being pushed towards what he described as a dark period of drug abuse.
The Congress leader said the party would continue to raise the issue and fight for what it described as justice for Gulzar Singh.
- PTC NEWS
