lok-sabha-elections

Updated: May 06, 2019 09:43 IST

Even as development issues continue to haunt the Congress in the election campaign, former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal lost her temper and allegedly slapped a youth at Bussehra village in Moonak on Sunday for asking “tough” questions. Bhattal, however, refuted the charge.

Bhattal, who was accompanying Congress candidate from Sangrur Kewal Dhillon, at the rally got infuriated after Kuldeep Singh, 33, raised his voice and asked the former Lehra MLA what she has done for his village. Local Congress workers tried to stop Kuldeep, but when he did not budge, Bhattal allegedly slapped him. Kuldeep holds a masters degree in engineering.

Kuldeep said Bhattal ruled for more than 20 years, but she did nothing for the area on the development front. “There is no adequate sewerage system in our village and the canal never gets water. She was not ready to listen to me and instead slapped me,” alleged Kuldeep.

Bhattal denied slapping the youth and said the “frustrated” Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is trying to disrupt and create chaos in Congress rallies. “There were many people who wanted to ask questions and we were replying to their queries, but the youth created chaos. He should ask questions to AAP candidate Bhagwant Mann and Akali Dal’s Parminder Singh Dhindsa who also ruled the area,” Bhattal said.

Reacting to the incident, Mann said: “I always welcome questions and Bhattal should have answered the queries of voters.

Meanwhile, over 400 sugarcane growers blocked the Bathinda-Chandigarh road at Bahadurpur village for an hour demanding clearance of dues of ₹75 crore. They also opposed the rallies of Congress candidate Kewal Singh Dhillon’s son Karan Dhillon in Ubhawal and other villages.