The North News
Chandigarh, August 22
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and his nephew, Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar, were taken into custody by police in Fazilka district on Friday while attempting to hold an awareness camp in Abohar. Jakhar accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of harassment and openly challenged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann before leaving with a convoy from Abohar. Police set up barricades at Balluana to block his march, prompting protests by BJP supporters, including former Punjab health minister Surjit Kumar Jyani, at a toll plaza.
The controversy stems from allegations that the Punjab government has been pressuring citizens over filling forms for central government welfare schemes. Since May, the BJP has been organising outreach campaigns through Common Service Centres (CSCs). On Thursday, a BJP delegation led by Punjab State Working president Ashwani Sharma met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, alleging that the AAP government was undermining democracy by misusing police powers to target opposition workers.
