Cong failed to end halqa in-charge system: AAP MLAs

MANSA: Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs have alleged that the Captain Amarinder Singhled Congress government has failed to end the system of halqa (constituency) in-charges established by the previous SAD-BJP regime.,

Mansa MLA Nazar Manshahia and Budhlada MLA Budh Ram said the system still prevails in Mansa district and alleged that the local administration gives preferential treatment to Congress leaders over the AAP representatives.

In the run-up to the assembly elections earlier this year, Amarinder had promised to abolish the system of halqa-in-charges.

The issue came to the fore at a function organised here on the police commemoration day, where AAP MLAs were missing and Congress leaders were seen distributing blankets and other items to the families of martyrs.

Manshahia said that though he was invited for the programme, he could not make it due to personal commitments. “This is an isolated case where I was invited. Otherwise, the elected representatives are being ignored. Though the CM had promised to abolish halqain-charge system, he himself was seen distributing development funds to a Congress leader instead of elected representatives from Mansa,” he said. He said district officials should always involve elected representatives in programmes and seminars held for public awareness on issues like drug the menace and child protection.

MLA Budh Ram said the district administration is deliberately trying to ignore opposition party MLAs. Deputy commissioner (DC) Dharam Pal Gupta refuted the charge of preferential treatment to Congress leaders over AAP MLAs.