Cong’s Bajwa, Dullo to skip MPs’ meet with Mohindra
PATIALA: As chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has deputed cabinet colleague Brahm Mohindra to chair an all-party meeting of parliamentarians of Punjab on Wednesday, his party Congress’ s two Rajya Sabha members — Shamsher Singh Dullo and Partap-SinghBajwa—have declared not to attend.
Predictably, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has also announced a boycott while two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs will not attend even as its two suspended members will be there at the meeting scheduled to be held at Punjab Bhawan in Chandigarh.
At the centre of the episode is Bajwa, Amarinder’s bete noire within the Congress, who had said in an interview that he would raise issues regarding dissatisfaction with the state government at this meeting. Dul lo too had said the government that took over in Marchshouldfulfilpromises.HT on November 6 reported that the CM will stay away and the meeting will be chaired by Mohindra.
Now, Bajwa told HT over the phone, “Today, I am totally disillusioned with government. I will not be going to attend a meeting that is being chaired by a minister and not by the CM. I have to take up issues that relate to Punjab and only the CM can take a decision .” For instance, he said ,“How can Mohindra take a decision on fixing prices of sugarcane?”
“I was waiting to remind the CM about promises, including action against SAD leaders Bikram Majithia, Sukhbir Badal, Tota Singh and Adaish Partap Kai ron. And why is( finance min- is t er) Man p re et Bad al not issuing a department-wise white paper on loot committed by the SADBJP in the last 10 years?” he said, adding that he would wait for another meeting.
He said he will“not like to comment on working of the government in the media ”, but added ,“I would remind the CM about poll promises of ‘ghar ghar naukri’ (jobs ), unemployment allowance, and fulfilment of a pledge that he took at Bathinda by placing his hand on a holy book. Farm loan waiver is still on paper, and similar is the story of enhancement of pensions and Shagun scheme. I prepared a list, but now will not attend the meeting as the CM is not attending it.” Regarding raising issues in the Rajya Sabha, he said, “I am already doing that.”
Sources said another Rajya Sabha MP, Am bika So ni, will not attend, while state unit chief and Gu rd a spur MP SunilJakharw ill be there, as would be other Lok Sabha MPs of the Congress.
AKALIS TAKE DIG
As for the SAD, its line is that Mohindra lacks the seniority to chair the meeting. SAD’s Lok Sabha MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said in Patiala, “It seems the CM is not concerned with Punjab’s issues. That’s why he twice postponed this meeting, and now says Mohindra will chair it. The meeting is against protocol and the dignity of MPs.”
He went onto allege that A marinder is “attempting a secret pact” with Ha ryan aonSYL(Sutlej- Ya m una Link) canal :“As he is aware that the SAD will question it, he decided not to take the meeting. ”BJP’ s Vi jay Sam pl a will not attend due to a prior engagement, party secretary Vineet Joshi told a news agency.
REBELS OF AAP
AAP’s Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur and state unit chiefBh agwant Mann simply said ,“We are not going to attend the meeting.” But the party has four LS MPs, of whom two remain suspended. Those two—Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa — will attend.
Gandhi said it was his idea to have such a meeting :“It is a noble initiative by the CM to collectively raise issues in Parliament. It was my idea, which (previous CM) Parkash Singh Badal didn’t implement, but Am arin der Singh has decided to hold a meeting before every session. I have to take up the matter of ChandigarhRajpura rail link among others .”
› I am totally disillusioned with the state govt. I am not going to attend a meeting that is being chaired by a minister and not by the CM.
PARTAP SINGH BAJWA , RS member