Cheema fires 'BJP patronising Bishnoi' salvo, Jakhar hits back

The war of words erupted amid increased gangster activity in the state, which has resulted in at least four killings in the past two weeks

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber and Ravinder Vasudeva

Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday accused the BJP of patronising gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been lodged in Sabarmati Jail of Ahmedabad since 2014, triggering a sharp reaction from the saffron party's Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar who hit out at the AAP government over the interview of the jailed gangster, conducted by a private news channel, in Punjab police custody.

Cheema allegations come amid the backdrop of increased gangster activity in the state which has led to four incidents in the past two weeks with the Opposition targeting the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government over the “deteriorating law-and-order situation.”

The minister alleged that the gangster has been targeting Punjab while sitting in Gujarat jail.

“The recent murder of a businessman in Abohar on July 7 was carried out by Bishnoi, who is in Gujarat jail. It is sad that he is targeting Punjab sitting in Gujarat,” Cheema told media-persons after the adjournment of the first sitting of the two-day special session of the Punjab assembly.