Punjab CM says will stay home to receive AAP protesters

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday said he had cancelled all his official engagements for Monday to receive AAP leaders who wish to protest outside his official residence here.

"The chief minister has cancelled all his engagements for tomorrow (Monday), including the Sangat Darshan at Dirba in Sangrur district. He will instead be available at his residence to receive any responsible political leader or representative for discussion on any issue concerning the state's people," Badal's spokesman said here.

"This has been done in view of Aam Aadmi Party's reported programme, even though that party has not sent any formal information to this effect," the spokesman said, referring to AAP's planned protest outside Badal's residence on May 16.

"The doors of my house remain open 24 hours a day to listen to people and their representatives and to address and solve their problems. Tomorrow will be no exception," Badal said in a statement here.

"I will fulfil my democratic obligation and remain present to engage in any responsible, meaningful and serious discussion with any representative of the people," he said.

In the past, Badal stayed at his official residence to meet Congress leaders protesting outside.

Accusing the AAP of "betrayal of Punjab", Badal said: "It is by now clear that Aam Aadmi Party leaders in Punjab have no control over their workers. Instead of a political party, they have come to resemble an unruly mob in which it is free for all for everyone on every issue. This is not democracy but anarchy of a dangerous kind and this robs all their actions of any seriousness and sobriety."

The AAP protest is against Badal government's alleged failure to curb the menace of drugs, mafia, corruption and other problems facing Punjab.

Assembly elections in Punjab are likely to be held in February next year.

--IANS

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