Cong dilemma: If we take on Khaira, why not Majithia, ask Jakhar, Sidhu
CHANDIGARH: The Congress dilemma on taking on leader of opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira in the winter session of the Punjab assembly after court summons to him in a drug case seems to have taken the shape of its strategy.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said the party would bring a motion of thanks to highlight the government’s achievements. “The procurement of paddy was smooth, we have been able to bust the terror module carrying out targeted killings in the state to disturb peace and communal harmony and we have broken the backbone of drug trade in Punjab. The Captain Amarinder Singh government has a positive agenda of good governance,” Jakhar said.
On party’s strategy during the session on court summons to Khaira, the state Congress chief said the leader of opposition will have to face some uncomfortable questions on the issue. But he admitted, so would the Congress.
“If we take on Khaira, why not Majithia (former Akali minister who was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in the Bhola drug case)?” he asked.
Local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was also present at the press conference, seconded Jakhar. “I totally support this view. We won elections promising that we will nail Majithia. And now we cannot go after Khaira without questioning Majithia’s involvement,” he said.
Jakhar tried to turn the tables on the AAP by questioning why is the party “shying away” from seeking a debate on the issue of drugs this time. “Let there be a debate on drugs. Let Akalis target Khaira and AAP target Majithia. We will spare no one if they are the real culprits,” he said. When asked about the CM taking “no evidence” line on Majithia, the two leaders said as per law, action has to be based on evidence.
When asked on the duration of session being shortened to three days, Jakhar said he agrees parties should get ample time to debate on important issues. But he took a dig at the NDA government at the Centre too for cutting short the winter session of Parliament.
MC POLLS BEFORE DEC 20: SIDHU
Local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu announced that the municipal polls for three corporations — Jalandhar, Amritsar and Patiala — will be held before December 20. “In Ludhiana, the delimitation of wards is still to complete. We have written to the state Election Commission. It is most likely to hold the polls before December 20,” he said. Jakhar said a panel headed by him will screen applicants for the civic polls.
JAKHAR YET TO TAKE OATH AS MP
Jakhar said he was still to take oath as an MP after winning the Gurdaspur bypoll as the Parliament session has been deferred to December 15. “They told me to do so at the speaker’s chamber but I refused. I am not a pickpocket to take oath that way,” he quipped.
‘HAPPY WITH BABUS’
The government transferred local government director KK Yadav, tourism director and two municipal commissioners on Sunday. Sidhu who was said to be unhappy with these officers denied he had sought their transfer. “It is the CM’S prerogative. I am happy with everything except the goods and services tax (GST),” he said.
› We won polls promising that we will nail Majithia. Now we cannot go after Khaira without questioning Majithia’s involvement
NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU, local › bodies minister
They told me to take oath as MP in the assembly speaker’s chamber but I refused. I am not a pickpocket to take oath that way.
SUNIL JAKHAR, Cong MP › from Gurdaspur
Govt is trying to suppress voice of opposition that wanted to take up several issues, such as farm suicides, law & order, and mining. SUKHPAL KHAIRA, AAP, leader of opposition