There is no rule of law in Punjab: BJP on attacks on its workers

The Punjab BJP feels that anger among the farmers in the state against the three new farm laws and its leadership is at the behest of the ruling Congress party. Recently over a dozen BJP leaders were taken hostage in Rajpura in Patiala by protesting farmers. Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party chief Ashwani Sharma told IANS that there is no rule of law in the state and Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh is patronizing attacks on their party leaders and workers.

The saffron camp believes that all the incidents of violence and attacks on BJP leaders are politically motivated and carried out by a handful of anti-social elements. "Most of the people in Punjab are peace loving and they are against any type of violence. Those involved in acts of violence against our workers or leaders are misled by the ruling party and have the blessings of the chief minister," Sharma said.

The BJP alleged that all acts of violence are being done with an eye on next year's assembly polls.

"Captain Amarinder Singh is not taking action believing that it will demoralise BJP workers and benefit the Congress party in next year's assembly polls. But the chief minister and Congress party must understand that such acts of promoting violence will backfire and cost them heavily in the Punjab assembly polls. BJP workers continue to work for the people without fear," Sharma said.

The BJP also questioned the failure of the administration to act against those involved in acts of violence and alleged that the state government is turning a blind eye towards people disturbing law and order in the state.

"All the acts of violence or intimidation of BJP workers have been carried out in the presence of senior officials of the administration and the law enforcing agencies. On the direction of the chief minister and the government, officials have failed to take action and remain mute spectators. There is complete constitutional breakdown in the state," the Punjab BJP chief said.

The Punjab BJP once again emphasised that political parties are misleading farmers over the new farm laws. "Everyone understands that the Narendra Modi government brought the new farm laws for the benefit of farmers, but opposition parties are misleading people by creating doubts in their minds," Sharma said.

The BJP workers and leaders were also attacked during the Punjab local bodies polls held earlier this year.