With the former Minister Sucha Singh Langah being booked for allegedly raping a woman, the political atmosphere ahead of the October 11 Gurdaspur Lok Sabha byelection has charged up.
While the Congress on Sunday questioned the silence of Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on the issue, the Aam Aadmi Party said the alleged incident had exposed the sorry state of affairs during the Akali regime.
“Mr. Sukhbir Badal had not bothered to utter a single word on the issue though two days had passed since the police filed the case, after which Mr. Langah had absconded,” said Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Congress president and party’s candidate from Gurdaspur, as he addressed a series of meetings in Batala.
Senior AAP leader Sukhpal Khaira, while demanding strict action against Mr. Langah, said the incident had exposed the double standards followed by the Congress government.
“The incident is deplorable and strict action should be taken against the accused. An immoral activity of an Akali leader has been exposed, which reflects poorly on the Akali Dal,” Mr. Khaira told The Hindu .
“While the Congress is quick enough to file case against its political opponents, when it comes to its probing allegations of corruption against his own party leaders, it becomes a mute spectator,” the AAP leader alleged.
