Punjab Congress chief and party’s Gurdaspur candidate Sunil Jakhar
Even as Punjab Congress chief and party’s Gurdaspur candidate Sunil Jakhar remains evasive over the allegations regarding the timings of the rape charge against Akali leader Sucha Singh Langah, he does not rule out more such cases coming to the fore to expose “offending” Akali leaders.
He also disassociated the party and its leaders from the video leak in the case.
Jakhar alleged that the victim was being exploited by Langah for long and the video was recorded much earlier. It was just that the victim felt confident during the Congress rule to come forward and expose the Akali leader, he said.
Dera Baba Nanak MLA Sukhjinder Randhawa said: “Why should we do the sting? It is for the Badals to explain the act of their leader. It is not an issue of timings when the act is unpardonable.”
When asked about his old rivalry with Langah, he said: “Why is everybody suspecting me? Did I send him to that woman’s house where he committed that sin?”
The Congress leaders indicated carrying forwarding the party’s agenda to expose the Akali leaders in Majha, including Bikram Singh Majithia, and BJP candidate Swaran Salaria.
Already 40 MLAs led by Randhawa have been pressing upon Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to act against the Akalis who had got “false” cases registered against Congress workers.
Sources said local Congress leader in Gurdaspur were using the situation to divert the attention of the voters from issues concerning development.
“The base of the Akalis is eroding in Majha. Local SAD leaders are already joining us. The public outrage against the Akalis is visible in rallies,” claimed Randhawa.
At loggerheads since 2012
Sucha Singh Langah contested the Assembly poll from Dera Baba Nanak in 2012, against the Congress’ Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Hence began an intense rivalry between the two.
Langah lost the poll and the SAD government designated him as the halqa incharge. He did not allow Randhawa, the sitting MLA, to function properly.
Sukhjinder Randhawa alleged: “Langah had instructed the SSPs of Gurdaspur and Batala that they should not take my calls. On several occasions, I raised the issue of Langah’s corrupt practices.”
When Randhawa was re-elected in 2017, he became a powerful legislator of Gurdaspur district. There were rumours that his victory would turn out to be disastrous for Langah, although Randhawa has always denied indulging in political vendetta.