SPEAKER OKAYS CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST SUKHBIR

CHANDIGARH: A day after bedlam in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, speaker Rana KP Singh on Friday initiated proceedings against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for contempt of the House, showing disrespect to the chair and calling him a “dictator”.

This is second privilege motion against the Opposition accepted by the speaker in two days. The matter will now be taken up by the privileges panel of the Vidhan Sabha, which can impose any penalty on an erring MLA — from a reprimand to suspension from the House.

While moving the motion, parliamentary affairs minister Brahm Mohindra referred to the Thursday incident when Sukhbir pointed towards the speaker’s chair and allegedly said: “Tussi aithe pagan laun aaye o (You are here to toss turbans)?” Sukhbir along with 15 party legislators was leading a protest against use of force for evicting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members. Turbans of three AAP legislators were tossed in the melee.

Supporting the resolution, Congress MLA Khushaldeep Singh Dhillon said the matter was serious as a party chief was involved.The speaker announced in the House that the SAD chief’s actions were “intentional, unwarranted and contemptuous”. Accepting the resolution, he referred the matter to the privileges committee.

Reacting to the proceedings, Sukhbir said he is afraid of nothing when it comes to ensuring respect to the turban.