Amritsar: Leader of the opposition in Punjab assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Sunday held Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal responsible for continuing Bhagwant Singh Mann as the chief minister of Punjab despite being aware of his conduct.Bajwa claimed that the AAP chief’s decision made him “equally accountable” for the ongoing controversy.Congress representatives led by Bajwa staged a protest near Town Hall here, condemning Mann for “challenging” the authority of the Akal Takht and refusing to abide by its directions.“By shielding Bhagwant Mann despite knowing the facts, Arvind Kejriwal has become equally responsible for undermining the dignity and sanctity of Punjab’s revered institutions,” said Bajwa.Addressing the gathering, the Qadian MLA said that once the Akal Takht had pronounced its decision, it was the moral and religious duty of every Sikh to honour it.“Bhagwant Mann should be ostracised socially as well as politically until he accepts the authority of the Akal Takht and sincerely atones for his actions,” said Bajwa.Referring to the ongoing controversy, the Congress legislator said that the Akal Takht had directed Mann to submit the disputed video clips for examination by two independent laboratories to establish their authenticity. However, Mann “failed to comply” with those directions and never responded to the directive issued by the Akal Takht, he added.Instead, the Punjab govt has misused the Ludhiana police to procure fabricated forensic reports in an attempt to cover up the truth, said Bajwa. “If Bhagwant Mann had nothing to hide, he would have readily accepted the directions of the Akal Takht. His refusal to cooperate and the desperate attempt to secure questionable reports only strengthen the suspicion that the govt is concealing the truth. The people of Punjab deserve transparency, not repeated lies and manipulation,” said the LoP.
