NEW DELHI: Leaders of Punjab unit of
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joined the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation against the Centre’s
farm laws on Friday. Eight party MLAs from Punjab were rounded up by the police when they tried to hold a protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence.
The AAP leaders included Leader of Opposition (LoP)
Harpal Singh Cheema, in charge of Punjab Affairs and MLA from Tilak Nagar (Delhi) Jarnail Singh, Kisan Wing Punjab president and MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan, and MLAs Aman Arora,
Baljinder Kaur, Meet Hair, Kulwant Singh Pandori, Manjit Singh Bilaspur and Jai Krishan Singh Rori.
They had a confrontation with the Delhi police as they marched towards the PM's house. They were stopped and taken away in police vehicles.
The MLAs were taken into custody by the Delhi Police. They were first taken to the Chanakyapuri police station, before releasing them at Burari Ground here.
Arora later said in a video message, “The three farm laws passed by the Centre have evoked sharp reactions from farmers of Punjab and Haryana. We will continue to raise the issue until the black laws are repealed.”
Holding placards to demand withdrawal of the farm laws, the MLAs raised slogans against the BJP government when they were stopped by the police. AAP leaders alleged that they were roughed up by the police.
Deputy leader of opposition Sarabjit Kaur Manuke and singer-turned-politician Gagan Anmol Mann crossed the Khanauri border to catch up with the farmers. “The agitation has been triggered by the arrogance of the BJP at the Centre. The Congress in Punjab too has backstabbed the farmers,” said Manuke.
“The AAP leaders joined the agitation without using any party flags or symbols. Other parties too should rise above party lines to raise the issue,” said a party spokesperson.