ONLY WANTED TO EDUCATE VOTERS, SAYS BHAGWANT

SAS NAGAR: Under fire for posting a video that exposes Parliament’s security, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann said all he wanted to do was “educate voters about how the House works”.

Addressing the ‘Badal Bhagao, Punjab Bachao’ rally of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at Lalru in this district on Friday, he blamed the error of judgement on his inexperience. “Pehli barr MP bana hoon, galti ho gai, agay se nahi hogi. (I am a first-time MP, made a mistake, won’t do it again),” he said.

He claimed voters had asked him why he didn’t take up their issues. “To explain, I had to make that video. Otherwise, no one believed me that questions are picked in a lucky draw, and how out of 160, only 20 are selected,” said Mann. “Voters have the right to know how Parliament works.”

“Congress, BJP sab ek saath demand kar re hai Mann nu suspend karo (The Congress and the BJP have come together to demand my suspension). I have tendered an unconditional, written apology. I respect the Constitution and will never do anything to lower its respect,” said Mann. “Rahul sleeps in the House but they accuse me of breaking rules.”

He said if anyone’s security was a concern, it was the Dalits’ (in reference to the attack on Gujarat Dalits). ‘BADALS MADE PUNJAB BEGGAR’

Lashing out at the Punjab government Mann said, “Badals (ruling family) have made us beggars. Yaad rakho kafan mein jeb nahi hoti (remember a shroud doesn’t have a pocket),” said the MP.

On the speculation of Navjot Singh Sidhu’s joining the AAP, he said: “It will be a boost to us but whether he will join or not only he can tell. Sidhu and his wife have exposed the Punjab government many times. (AAP convener) Arvind Kejriwal has clarified already that Sidhu won’t contest the elections, and Sidhu’s wife hasn’t yet quit the BJP,” said Mann.