R-Day parade: AAP, SAD target Centre for ‘rejecting’ Punjab’s tableau

The Aam Aadmi Party and Shiromani Akali Dal on Monday targeted the BJP-led central government for “rejecting” Punjab’s tableau for the Republic Day parade.

Chandigarh

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday targeted the BJP-led central government for “rejecting” Punjab’s tableau for the Republic Day parade.

Harpal Singh Cheema, the finance and taxation minister in the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, said that the state, through its tableau, was to present the history related to sacrifices made by Punjabis in the country’s freedom struggle.

“The Centre, however, stopped the state from presenting this at the parade,” the minister told reporters in Mohali. He also accused the BJP-led central government of discriminating against the AAP governments in Punjab and Delhi. The state’s tableau featured in the Republic Day parade in the past five years when the Congress was in power Punjab.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also targeted the Centre over the matter.

“Shocked to learn GOI has rejected Punjab’s tableau for 74th R-Day Parade. That means we aren’t allowed to showcase our culture & contribution to the freedom struggle!Urging GOI to review its decision, I also appeal to Pb CM @BhagwantMann to wake up & take up this forcefully with GOI,” Sukhbir tweeted.