With two Punjab cabinet ministers facing farmers' ire in Bathinda, ruling party Shiromani Akali Dal today alleged that peasants protests were handiwork of "anti-social" elements with political support, who indulged in violence to "defame" the Akali government.
The party, however, has expressed confidence in putting up a massive rally on November 23 in Bathinda which is being seen as 'show of strength' after the sacrilege incidents rocked the state.
Akali ministers and MLAs have been facing wrath of people including farmers particularly in Malwa region, with protesters showing black flags and not allowing them to enter villages, leading to clashes with policemen.
Referring to farmers' agitation, SAD Spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema alleged, "Some people do not have any intention toresolve their issues. The protests (by farmers) are the handwork of anti-social elements with political support who indulge in violence."
Cheema, who is the state's education minister, also accused the Congress party of supporting protesters "under a political conspiracy" to disturb peace and "defame" the party and the state government.
On November 14, farmers led by Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) protested at a foundation-stone laying ceremony of a road in Khokhar village in Bathinda by Punjab Cabinet Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon.
The protest by farmers led to clashes between police and farmers, injuring more than a dozen people.
On November 16, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal's cavalcade met with showing of black flags by workers of Aam Aadmi Party near Bughipura crossing in Moga.
Yesterday, farmers tried to prevent another minister Sikandar Singh Maluka at Kotha Gura in Bathinda who had gone there in connection with mobilising people for upcoming 'Sadbhavna Rally' on November 23.
Farmers have alleged that SAD workers had thrashed them with sticks.
Cheema said that the party was not scared of such kind of agitations as it has strong base in
villages, saying one cannot not spoil party's graph by engineering protests under political conspiracy.
"The Sadbhavna rally will be an eye opener for all of them (opponents). We will show our strength in a democratic way," he further said.
After facing massive criticism over sacrilege incidents and farmers issues, SAD has planned to hold Sadbhavna rallies, starting in Bathinda on November 23.
