Punjab government targeting AAP campaign on social media: Bhagwant Mann

CHANDIGARH: Aam Admi Party MP Bhagwant Mann has accused Shiromani Akali Dal Government of repressing their political campaign on social media ahead of the state Assembly elections due in February 2017. Mann and another AAP leader Himmat Singh Shergil are likely to submit a memorandum on the same to CM Parkash Singh Badal.

Speaking to media persons on Thursday , Mann said SAD president Sukhbir Badal launched many personal attacks on him on the social media through his supporters trying to malign his image. "Not only this many of AAP workers are being threatened on social sites. Akalis know it well that they will not be able to make it in Assembly elections and as such are resorting to all means to scare the common man," Mann said.

"There are many journalists whose phones are being tapped. Government is trying to scare journalists by doing this. There have been few instances where the journalists have made complaints against the erring officers and matter is in court. If SAD can go to this extent to scare journalists, one can understand the plight of common man," he said. Recently Mann was in news for wrong reasons after he was found in an inebriated state at a public event. Akalis launched a frontal attack on social media.

In retaliation Mann had challenged the Deputy Chief Minister to get a dope test done. "Sukhbir Badal should accept the challenge. AAP as a party is based on far-sightedness and honesty. Punjab has been in news in recent years for rampant drug addiction, particularly among youths and in rural areas. Akali Government rather than accepting this fact is shielding the accused. Ruling party was using a Punjabi news channel, whose ownership is linked to the Badal family, to defame him and the AAP. The Akali Dal government has failed to provide good governance and had lost touch with people," he said.