BJP seeks dismissal of Haryana Finance Minister

Rohtak, July 3 (UNI) The BJP today demanded dismissal of Haryana Finance Minister Birender Singh and registration of a criminal case against him in the wake of recent demolition of over 20 shops situated on land owned by him.

Haryana BJP secretary Manish Grover alleged that over 20 shops in the local Shakti market were demolished by his armed supporters with the help of a JCB machine on Saturday night.

Mr Grover also charged the district civil and police administration with turning a blind eye and remaining mute spectator when the shops were being demolished.

Addressing a press conference at the state party headquarters here, Mr Grover said nearly two dozen tenant shopkeepers were 'terrorised' by gun-weilding supporters of the minister.

''Neither the administration nor the local Congress MLA came to the rescue of the victims whose shops were being targeted,'' Mr Grover said, adding he himself rushed to the spot at around midnight after the affected shopkeepers informed him about the demolitions.

Cautioning Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda against such incidents, the BJP leader said he should keep in mind that the people of Rohtak who had brought him to power could also oust him if such tactics were not curbed.

Mr Hooda has been elected to the state assembly from Kiloi assembly seat of Rohtak district.

He also demanded payment of Rs one lakh each to the affected shopkeepers as compensation.

UNI XC MA AK RN1900