Mann seeks apology from media

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 5

Two days after a case was registered against AAP MP Bhagwant Mann for allegedly misbehaving with mediapersons at Bassi Pathana, he today sought an apology during a rally held in Balachaur constituency.

Mann, while addressing a gathering in favour of Brig (retd) Raj Kumar, said “Our party’s fight is against Badals and not against media. I apologise from the media fraternity for my remarks in Bassi Pathana. I never wanted to offend the media and it just happened inadvertently. Media has always supported me. But I somehow got irritated because of personal remarks made against me upon my arrival there.”

Four days ago at Bassi Pathana, Mann had told AAP supporters not to believe in media reports as they were planted by rivals. This led to press clubs across the state boycotting him.

Meanwhile, during his programme at Sultanpur Lodhi this evening, AAP workers supporting former state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur showed black flags to the Sangrur MP and burnt his effigy.

Akalis protest at MP’s rally in Ropar

Ropar: Akali workers led by SGPC member Ajmer Singh Khera staged a protest as AAP MP Bhagwant Mann addressed a “Badal Bhajao, Punjab Bachao” rally at Mianpur village near here on Monday. They alleged that Mann had termed poor people as beggars. Since morning, over 100 SAD workers gathered at Gandoh village, 2 km from the venue of AAP rally on the Rangilpur-Purkhali road, waiting to show black flags to Mann. Though Mann changed the route and reached the venue using internal roads, SAD workers waved black flags in front of vehicles of AAP workers heading towards Mianpur village. They also burnt Mann’s effigy. Mann, while addressing the well-attended rally, focused on flaying only Badals. In his 45-minute speech, no leader of BJP or Congress leader found any mention. He said SAD leaders had been attacking AAP workers and the police were being used to harass them. He alleged that Badals had been trying hard to send him behind bars despite the fact that he was neither involved in drug smuggling, nor scams of fertilizers or pesticides as was the case with SAD leaders. TNS