Amarinder, Sukhbir level it out on Twitter

Image
Press Trust of India Chandigarh
Last Updated : Dec 10 2017 | 11:30 PM IST
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and SAD chief Sukhbir Badal today engaged themselves in a prolonged exchange of heated words on Twitter after Akali workers were booked for blocking roads and national highways.
The Akalis were protesting against alleged attacks on party workers and registration of what they say were "false" cases against them.
Both Singh and Badal took swipe at each other on their respective Twitter handles. And what followed was claims and counter claims.
In a series of tweets Singh wrote: "Shocked at reaction to registration of cases against @Akali_Dal_ dharnas that caused immense inconvenience to people. Does he not know it's against the law to block national highways? Or does he simply not care for the law?"
"Blocking national highways does not just cause hardships to people, it also cuts off the strategic supply line of our armed forces in Kashmir and other areas, thus undermining our defence strength," he wrote.
He alleged that the Akali Dal, "despite their tall claims of being guardians of Sikh religion", don't care that blocking highways would obstruct pilgrims going to Sri Harmandir Sahib.
"There's a difference between a road & a national highway and between a symbolic protest & 24-hour siege. Nobody is denying @Akali_Dal_ its right to protest but is it fair to bring normal life of citizens to a standstill and subject them to miseries as you did?" Singh wrote.
Badal responded to Singh's accusation on Twitter.
"Your goons forced us to come on roads by beating, shooting and not allowing people to file nominations in municipal polls," Badal said.
Reminding Singh of the street protests he had organised, Badal said: "And please don't try to be holier than thou. Posting pic of your supporters blocking national highway by stopping Lahore bus (sic). And here's a pic of you blocking a road. Whom are you trying to fool? SAD will continue to protest for people's rights."
Singh defended his stand, saying, "Right to protest is indisputable in a democracy. But the way @Akali_Dal_ blocked the National Highway was not only illegal but against the interest of the people. Not the sign of a healthy opposition!"
But Badal was less than amused. He continued: "Not letting people file nominations is murder of democracy akin to what Congress did in Emergency. SAD will expose you."
Singh replied: "Stop perpetrating lies. If @Akali_Dal_ nominees had been stopped from filing nominations they would have grabbed the extra day given by EC to submit papers. Fact is nobody turned up, clearly exposing your blatant falsehoods."
He also equated the Akali Dal with the Aam Aadmi Party. "It seems that @Akali_Dal_ has decided to go the @AamAadmiParty way when it comes to street politics. It seems @officeofssbadal has learnt no lessons from @ArvindKejriwal and his party's poll routs," Singh wrote on Twitter.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 10 2017 | 11:30 PM IST

Next Story