‘Son’s pyre not yet cold…no intention to contest election’

“Haale mere putt da siva thanda nahi hoya (The pyre of my son is not yet doused). I have no intention to contest elections,” said Balkaur Singh in a video message.
He further said, “I get hurt seeing different social media posts. Do not pay heed to them”.

Balkaur Singh said he was thankful to all who stood by the family in the hour of grief and urged people to attend the ‘bhog’ ceremony of his son on June 8. He added that he “share his thoughts then”.

The statement came a day after Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Congress Legislature Party leader Partap Singh Bajwa and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) leader Parminder Singh Dhindsa endorsed a suggestion of Johl to get Balkaur elected unopposed from Sangrur Lok Sabha seat.

In a post on his Facebook page, Johl wrote that the killing of Moosewala was very unfortunate and painful. While extending condolences to Moosewala’s parents, Johl said, “I feel it may be a bit helpful consolation if the father of Sidhu Moosewala is persuaded to be elected in by-election to the Parliament from Sangrur constituency unopposed.”

Warring was quick to endorse Johl’s views. “Hope all other parties agree. Let’s put politics of one-upmanship aside,” Warring had said. Bajwa too said that Balkaur Singh should be fielded as a consensus candidate and “all nationalist forces must unite behind his candidacy”.
Dhindsa assured his party’s support if Moosewala’s father is fielded for the bypoll that was necessitated after Bhagwant Mann vacated the seat on being elected from Dhuri in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.

Earlier, during their meeting with Shah in Chandigarh, Balkaur and Charan Kaur submitted a written representation demanding probe by a central agency. Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat and Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher too were present during the meeting.

BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said during the 15-minute long meeting, Moosewala’s parents also rued pruning of the singer’s security from four gunmen to two.
As per an FIR registered on basis of the father’s complaint, Moosewala had not taken his security detail with him at the time when he was shot dead. Balkaur, in his statement had said that he followed Moosewala’s vehicle with the gunmen and saw assailants raining bullets on his son. Balkaur said he left with the gunmen after Moosewala as the singer was facing ransom calls from Lawrence Bishnoi gang and others.

Based on a CCTV footage where they were seen at a petrol station in the Bolero used in the crime, police have identified two suspected gangsters from Haryana who are alleged to be involved in the killing.

Moosewala’s family had earlier written a letter to Shah seeking a probe by central agencies into the murder of the famous Punjabi singer, according to Shekhawat.
On Friday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had met Moosewala’s parents and family members at his native village Moosa in Mansa.

Meanwhile, Punjab Police continued to conduct raids at various places across Punjab and Haryana to nab members of the Bishnoi gang who could be involved in Moosewala’s murder.