Freedom, Constitution in danger: Punjab CM slams BJP over Kejriwal's arrest

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday attacked the BJP-led Centre over the arrest of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and alleged that freedom and the country's Constitution were in danger.

Mann, along with several ministers and AAP MLAs, gathered at Khatkar Kalan in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district for a day-long fast to protest the arrest after the Aam Aadmi Party gave the call for a nationwide collective fast.

Khatkar Kalan is the ancestral village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convener, was arrested last month by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. He had been sent to judicial custody till April 15.

Recently, Yadvinder Sandhu, the kin of Bhagat Singh, had opposed Kejriwal's picture behind bars being flanked by portraits of the freedom fighter and BR Ambedkar, saying he felt bad that an attempt was being made to compare the AAP leader with the two icons.

The BJP on Sunday accused Mann of hurting the feelings of people by placing Kejriwal's picture at the birthplace of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Addressing the gathering at Khatkar Kalan, Mann alleged that the BJP was "unnerved" at the expansion of the AAP which became a national party in 10 years.