Punjab: AAP MP Bhagwant Mann says he ‘respects’ media

Punjab Police has registered a case against Mann on the complaint that he and his supporters had allegedly misbehaved with mediapersons at a rally in Bassi Pathana in Fatehgarh Sahib district on September 1.

Addressing ‘Badal Bhajao-Punjab Bachao’ rally at Mianpur village in Rupnagar on Tuesday, Mann said he had reacted the way he did after he was asked “irritating” questions.

A case was registered on the statement of some journalists against Mann under various sections of the IPC including 109 (punishment of abatement if the act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 153 (promoting enmity between different groups) among others.

The mediapersons had also alleged Mann used derogatory remarks against them at Bassi Pathana.

Also, Mann welcomed the appointment of Gurpreet Ghuggi as party’s Punjab Convenor.

At the event today, Mann accused the ruling party of trying to vitiate atmosphere by disturbing AAP rallies.

He alleged that SAD workers had attacked AAP workers at Malout and police had “failed” to register case against miscreants.

He said violence has no place in democracy.

He appealed to people to beware of the “designs” of SAD, which wants to create “disturbance” in the state.

He also refuted the allegations that AAP was being controlled by outsiders.

He said Punjab leaders are in full command of the party and tickers were being given to the residents of the state.

Meanwhile, the Youth Akali Dal workers burnt effigy of Mann at Landra in Mohali district.

Meanwhile, addressing people at Balachaur, Nawanshahr, Mann urged media to forgive him saying he has no personal grudge against anyone.

Some local mediapersons sported black badges and raised slogans against him at main chowk in the town before his arrival.

He advocated setting up of “some sort a body” to which one could approach in case of complaint against mediapersons.

Later, Mann said the doors of his party were still open for Navjot Sidhu and Pargat Singh – who have announced formation of a political party of their own.

Addressing a huge gathering at ‘Badal Bhajao, Punjab Bachao’ rally at Dana Mandi in support of party candidate Brigadior (retd.) Raj Kumar, Mann asked common man to “vote for a change”.

Mann said he was there to give his (Kejriwal’s) message that the time had come for Punjabis to start a revolution and bring “a new mechanism of governance and model of development”.

He alleged the common man was suffering due to “excessive greed” of the Badal family which had “grabbed” control over all businesses- from sand to transport.

Slamming Congress, he said the party too “had looted the country since Independence”.

He regaled the audience with his famous satirical ‘Kikli-kaleer di’ but asked SAD supporters in the audience to either leave or close their ears so as not to feel offended.

On dismissal of Sandeep Kumar from the Delhi Cabinet over an alleged a sex scandal and senior AAP leader Ashutosh seeking to defend him (Kumar), Mann said the matter relates to Delhi so he was not in a position to comment on it.