Punjab CM refuses to accept resignation of AG, Sidhu steps up attacks on government

Punjab Attorney-General APS Deol's resignation was rejected by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi following several attacks made against Deol by state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu who said he was unfit for the role. Sidhu has been demanding Deol's resignation on grounds of having represented two policemen accused of sacrilege and police firing in 2015.

Deol's appointment to Attorney-General had been controversial as he represented top policeman Sumed Singh Saini and Inspector-General Paramraj Singh Umaranangal who were accused of sacrilege and police firings in Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan. This was during his tenure as senior advocate in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

"Demand for Justice in Sacrilege cases and for arrest of main culprits behind the drug trade brought our Govt in 2017 & Due to his failure, People removed the last CM. Now, AG/DG appointments rub salt on wounds of victims, they must be replaced or we will have No face !! (sic)," Sidhu had said in a tweet on October 3. Sidhu's wife Navjot Singh Kaur has also called for the removal of Deol from the post of Attorney-General.

Sidhu stepped up his numerous attacks on the government by taking aim at the CM's decision to reduce tariff prices and also criticised the government for handing out 'lollipops' or freebies ahead of the Punjab Assembly Polls to be held early next year. The Congress chief urged the people of Punjab to vote only for the agenda that would benefit Punjab.

He had also launched a blistering attack on former CM Captain Amarinder Singh, terming him as a 'spent bullet' and accusing him of having sold Punjab out to the BJP and Badals. Amarinder Singh announced the launch of his own political party with alliance to the BJP last week which prompted Sidhu's ire.