Congress MlA from Kapurthala Rana Gurjit Singh was booked by the local police along with two of his aides following the Sunday night clash during a party meeting in Nadala town in Kapurthala district.
The clash took place after Congress leader Kulwant Singh Babbal objected to the Congress ticket being given to Gurbinder Singh Atwal for Bholath Assembly seat.
Babbal’s turban was thrown to the ground and chairs were flung by supporters of the Congress leaders in the Rana Gurjit’s presence.
Following a complaint by Babbal, the legislators and two others were booked for outraging religious sentiments, criminal intimidation and conspiracy, the police said on Tuesday.
Atwal was picked by the Congress high command after Rana Gurjit reportedly lobbied hard for him.
Sources said that after the scuffle took place, supporters of Babbal also threw chairs at Rana Gurjit’s aides. Rana had reportedly called meeting of all the senior workers from the segment to listen to their point of view.
As per the local leaders, Rana Gurjit chose not to interfere when Babbal was allegedly attacked. Babbal, in his complaint, blamed a local Congress leader and Rana Gurjit’s close aide Daljit Singh behind the “murderous attack on him” claiming it was all pre-planned.
“Daljeet called me up on Sunday and requested to attend the meeting. During the meeting, he attacked me without any provocation. I had to run from the spot to ensure my safety. Rana Gurjit is the mastermind of this attack,” alleged Babbal.
Bholath DSP Navneet Singh Mahal said that on Babbal’s complainant, a case has been registered against five persons including the Kapurthala Congress MlA Rana Gurjit Singh and his close aide Daljeet Singh and three of his others supporters under 295A, (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), 506 (criminal intimidation), 120B (criminal conspiracy) of India Penal Code (IPC) by the Kapurthala police.
Rana, however, denied any enmity with Babbal saying that it was personal dispute between Babbal and Daljeet Singh.