Navjot Singh Sidhu, a Punjab Congress leader, was released from prison today, 10 months after he was imprisoned in a road rage case that killed a man 34 years ago.

After being released from the Patiala jail in Punjab, Mr. Sidhu started working right away.

He made the apparent dig at the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying, “Democracy is in shackles”.

Navjot Singh Sidhu further said, “Punjab is this country’s shield. When dictatorship arrived in this country, a movement led by Rahul Gandhi arose”.

He claimed that the centre wants to impose President’s rule in the state where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the BJP’s bitter rival, is in power.

His remarks come amid a manhunt for radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, whose private militia has been accused of attempting to wreak havoc in Punjab and disrupt law and order.

Punjab Congress leader said, “There is a conspiracy to impose President’s rule in Punjab. They are trying to weaken Punjab. I stand like a wall with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and every Congress worker”.

“I’d like to consult with my younger brother, Bhagwant Mann (Chief Minister and AAP leader). Why did you deceive the Punjabi populace? You cracked jokes and made grandiose promises. But as of right now, you are only the Chief Minister on paper”, Mr. Sidhu added, who was released from jail more than eight hours past the deadline set for today.

He claimed that before releasing him, the administration wanted the journalists to depart.

In May of last year, after Mr. Sidhu had already resigned as head of the Punjab Congress due to his party’s loss in the state election, the Supreme Court imposed a one-year sentence of rigorous imprisonment.

On the request of the man’s family who passed away in 1988 following a battle with Mr. Sidhu and his companion, the court granted their motion. A 2018 Supreme Court decision exonerating him of murder was under review after the family requested it.