Shoe thrown at Badal during rally

A shoe was hurled at Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday here, by a relative of a radical Sikh leader during a poll campaign in Lambi constituency.

Mr. Badal was busy in a public meeting at Ratta Khera village amid election campaign, when 40-year-old Gurbachan Singh allegedly hurled the shoe towards him. The shoe first hit a security personnel and then touched Mr. Badal’s turban.

“There was not report of any injury to the Chief Minister and the accused was nabbed,” Muktsar SSP Dhruman H. Nimbale told

The Hindu , adding that the accused is closely related to Amrik Singh Ajnala — a radical Sikh leader.

The accused Gurbachan Singh was booked under Sections 355, 353 and 186 of the IPC.

“We see a larger conspiracy behind this, as an early investigation has revealed that the accused has been in touch with Amrik Ajnala, who is an identified radical,” Mr. Nimbale said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Badal said the incident proves beyond doubt that our opponents have lost the game and want to scuttle a peaceful, free and fair poll. “Here is a clear proof that our opponents have conceded defeat in the upcoming elections and were now resorting to such disruptive tactics,” he said.

“Behind such incidents, are people who want to set Punjab on flames again, and push the youth of Punjab back into the jaws of bloodshed and confrontation,” he added.

Punjab Congress president Capt. Amarinder termed today’s incident and the stone-pelting on Sukhbir Badal’s convoy a few days ago, as regrettable, but added that it was the pent-up anger of the people coming to the fore.