CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister and the leader of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, Parkash Singh Badal, 89, was hurt in the eye when a man hurled a show at him during an election campaign at Ratta Khera village in his assembly constituency Lambi. The shoe-thrower has been arrested and identified as Gurbachan Singh, reportedly a relative of Sikh radical leader Amrik Singh Ajnala. "He (Gurbachan) appeared to be upset over the sacrilege incidents that took place in Punjab," said Muktsar senior superintendent of police Dhruman H Nimbale.
Badal was immediately escorted out of the venue after his eye began to bleed with his spectacles breaking from the impact of the hit. The CM later released a statement saying the incident proved "beyond doubt" that Akali Dal's political rivals had "lost the game" and wanted to "scuttle a peaceful, free and fair poll." His statement further said that "as a father figure in the state" he would "continue to walk the path of patience, peace, and communal harmony." "Behind such incidents are people who want to set Punjab on flames again and push the youth of Punjab back into the jaws of bloodshed and confrontation from which the people of the state have emerged after unspeakable sacrifices," Badal said.
His statement revealed the perpetrator wasn't even from the constituency, and in fact, belongs to Jhurd Khera village in Fazilka district. Such desperate elements, Badal said, have the backing of "our political rivals" who are increasingly turning desperate. Punjab will go to polls on February 4, and the ruling SAD-BJP will stand up against the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party.
