AAP cries 'witch-hunt' on extension to panel probing Mann

The extension given to a Lok Sabha panel probing Bhagwant Mann's videography issue amounts to an "unprecedented witch-hunt" where entire BJP has "ganged up" against a lone MP, the AAP today claimed and alleged the Centre was "spying" on him.
AAP leader Ashutosh claimed in a press conference that on July 18, "two officials of the Home Ministry" had showed up at a Naturopathy Clinic in Bengaluru where Mann was undergoing treatment.
The officials enquired about the Sangrur MP and took pictures, he claimed.
"The officials sought information about the purpose of Mann's visit, his daily schedule there, details of his meetings there, the treatment he received, and other such personal information. They were spying on him," Ashutosh said.

He claimed this "vindicated" AAP's stand that its MPs and MLAs were being "hounded" by the Narendra Modi dispensation.
AAP leader Ashish Khetan said that by providing an extension to the BJP MP Kirti Somaiya-headed panel, a perception was being created that Mann had committed a "blunder" or a "terror act".

The matter should have ended with Mann's unconditional apology in the floor of the House, Khetan said.
"This is an unprecedented witchhunt against a lone MP. His voice is being gagged as he consistently raises issues such as farm crisis in Punjab. The same Parliament has 34 per cent MPs with criminal cases pending against them.

"Why no action is taken against BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri who had used disparaging language against members of the minority community on the floor of the House?" Khetan asked.
Ashutosh alleged that two "inebriated" BJP MPs, had recently abused TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on the Parliament House premises, "but they have not been acted against".
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today granted two more weeks to the nine-member Lok Sabha panel probing the issue regarding Mann shooting a video of the Parliament complex and asked the AAP member not to attend the House till a decision was taken on the matter.

Kirit Somaiya said the panel would consult experts before deciding on the matter.