SHIMLA: Aam Aadmi Party workers on Tuesday staged state-wide protest against the recent episode of hoisting Khalistani flags and graffities in Tapovan Vidhan Sabha complex. They demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on the ground that the government has failed to protect the seat of democracy, Vidhan Sabha in Himachal Pradesh.
AAP, a new entrant in Himachal politics, workers on Tuesday raised slogans in front of the deputy commissioner’s office in Shimla, Mandi, Dharamshala, Una, Hamirpur and other places, demanding action in connection with the defacement of Tapovan Vidhan Sabha by “Khalistani banners and graffities.
HP Police SIT Has Yet to Crack the Case
The state government has constituted a special instigation team of police officers to unearth culprits of the Tapovan Vidhan Sabha episode. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had announced that the SIT would bring the culprits to book, no one has been nabbed so far.
Congress’ Verbal Attacks and protests, CPIM Silent
The state Congress leaders had also launched verbal attacks on Jai Ram Thakur’s government on this episode and they also staged protest in the state.
State CPM, which has one MLA from Theog, Rakesh Singha in the present Vidhan Sabha, has remained silent on Tapovan episode so far.
AAP Demands CM should Resign
AAP has eyed political gain from the Tapovan episode demanding resignation of the Chief Minister.
“Vidhan Sabha is a Mandir of Loktantra”, said Col Manish Mehra, AAP leader. But the Jai Ram Thakur government has failed to protect this temple of democracy and as such he should resign, Col(retd) Mehra demanded.
Leading the protest in Shimla AAP spokesperson Gaurav Sharma said the way the Khalistani flags were hoisted in Tapovan Vidhan sabha, it showed the Jai Ram Thakur BJP government has failed to protect the security of the Vidhan Sabha complex. He has no right to stay in office and he should step down, he charged.
AAP on Pannu’s Connection
State BJP had charged that the AAP had made Pannu, who is an avid Khalistan supporter, as party’s spokesperson and AAP was being funded by Khalistanis in Punjab and Himachal.
Responding to BJP”s charge, Sharma blamed the BJP government at Centre for not arresting Pannu, who is living abroad. “AAP has expelled him and now the party has nothing to do with Pannu”, he claimed.
AAP karyakartas demanded that those responsible for the putting up the banners and graffities of Khalistan in Tapovan Vidhan Sabha should be brought to justice at the earliest so that people’s faith in democracy is restored.
AAP claimed that the state government has compromised on the security Vidhan Sabha and as such it showed scant regard to the institution of Vidhan sabha. AAP leaders submitted their memorandum to the President of India through the DCs demanding immediate action.
