Congress demands President's rule in Punjab

JALANDHAR: Even as Congress is opposing President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh and terming it murder of democracy, former Punjab chief minister and senior Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal has demanded that President's rule be imposed in Punjab.
Citing incidents of sacrilege which led to large scale public protests, drug problem and financial mess in the state she claimed that Punjab government had completely failed and it was a perfect case for imposition of President's rule.
However, when asked that Congress was opposing President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh, then how could she advocate a similar step in Punjab, she said that Punjab was a border state and such law and order situation could not be allowed in the state for security reasons. But, when pointed that Arunachal was also a border state with China and considered much more sensitive from strategic point of view, she fumbled for words and to explain the contradiction in party's stand on Arunachal and her demand for Punjab. She was speaking to media here at the residence of Congress leader Ashok Gupta on Friday.
For two terror attacks in Punjab - first in Dinanagar and then at Pathankot air base - she blamed Punjab government for failure.
To leave Red Beacon only if party high command decides
Asked that CLP leader Charanjit Singh Channi had said that Congress needed to give up VIP culture and he had already removed red beacon from his vehicle, Bhattal said that it was CLP leader's own opinion and there was no decision by the party. Asked if she would give up use of red beacon, she said that matter would be first discussed in the party and if the party high command would issue directions then she would stop using red beacon.