AAP govt in Punjab must be dismissed, has lost moral authority: Cong after Moosewala's killing
New Delhi(PTI): The Congress on Sunday sought the dismissal of the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab over the killing of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, saying that it has lost the moral authority to govern.
Moosewala was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Punjab's Mansa district, a day after the state government curtailed his security cover.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Mansa) Gobinder Singh told PTI that Moosewala, 27, was attacked when he was in his jeep at village Jawahar Ke and several bullets hit him.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said he was deeply shocked and saddened by the "murder of promising Congress leader and talented artist, Sidhu Moosewala".
"My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and fans from across the world," Gandhi said.
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi tweeted, "The news of the murder of talented singer, youth icon, and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala ji is very painful. This has stunned us all."
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said on Twitter, "I'm shocked beyond belief and expression. We have lost a promising star in the @INCIndia, Sidhu Mooseewla."
"He was showered with bullets in Mansa just 2 days after @BhagwantMann govt withdrew his security. @AAPPunjab govt has lost moral authority. It must be DISMISSED," he said.
Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also expressed deep shock at the "broad daylight murder" of Moosewala.
"Punjab & Punjabis across the world have lost a talented artist with mass connect, who could feel people's pulse. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and fans across the world," he said.
The Congress, on its official Twitter handle, said the killing of Moosewala has come as a terrible shock to the party and the entire nation.
"Our deepest condolences to his family, fans & friends. We stand united & undeterred, at this time of extreme grief," he said.
Mansa civil surgeon Dr Ranjeet Rai told reporters that Moosewala was brought dead at the civil hospital.
He had fought on the Congress ticket from the Mansa assembly seat in the recent election and was defeated by the AAP's Vijay Singla.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
