AAP playing dangerous politics over VIP security cover: Chugh

Chandigarh: Apr 02: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for “playing politics” over the provision of security cover to senior politicians.
Strongly condemning the withdrawal of security cover for senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, especially amidst rising violence across Punjab, Chugh in a statement issued here said, “When grenade attacks are being reported on police booths and public places are under constant threat, the AAP government chooses to settle political scores by removing security. This is not governance — this is political vendetta.”
He reminded the Bhagwant Mann government how security was withdrawn from Sidhu Moosewala, and within days, he became a victim of gangster violence. “AAP leaders never learn from their mistakes. The cost of their arrogance is paid in blood,” he said.
Chugh asserted that political differences with the AAP must not become a criterion for providing or withdrawing security cover for politicians facing threats to their lives.
He pointed out that more than 15 violent incidents and grenade blasts have occurred in the last six months, most of them targeting police stations and security personnel. “Just two nights ago, an explosion rocked a police booth in Patiala. If this doesn’t alarm the government, what will? Instead of addressing this dire law and order situation, the Mann government is busy welcoming failed leaders from Delhi,” he said.
The BJP leader further criticised AAP’s “hypocrisy”, noting how “defeated and on-bail leaders from Delhi are enjoying VVIP treatment in Punjab, funded by Punjab’s taxpayers, while those raising their voices against the government are being targeted.”
Responding to AAP Punjab State President Aman Arora’s remark that the opposition is showing “sympathy with drug mafias,” Chugh said, “This shows the level of arrogance and tyranny in AAP’s leadership. Even Arvind Kejriwal had to apologize before the court for making such baseless and defamatory statements. The same mistake is being repeated.”
He urged the Mann government to “stop using state machinery as a political tool and focus on restoring public confidence and internal security”. “If you can’t ensure law and order, the least you can do is stop playing politics with people’s lives,” he added.