Jakhar takes a dig at SAD, BJP for seeking minister’s resignation

SAYS THE ALLEGED FRAUD REGARDING LAND COMPENSATION HAPPENED WHEN SAD-BJP WAS IN POWER

: Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar on Saturday questioned the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for demanding the resignation of sports minister Rana Gurmit Sodhi in an alleged case of fraudulent land compensation claim. In a statement, Jakhar said, “Congress government is committed to zero tolerance to corruption and that’s why the chief minister ordered a case to be registered against Sodhi after departmental inquiry found him guilty. The shoe is on the other foot actually. Both BJP and SAD have a lot to explain as it was their government when the fraud happened which wouldn’t have been possible without blessings from the highest quarter of the government.”

Jakhar said what is not mentioned is that Sodhi was able to commit fraud only with the patronage of the Akali government as it’s a herculean task to get one’s compensation from government in the best of times. “To be able to fraudulently claim it second time and that too being in the opposition party is unthinkable. That’s why the Akalis didn’t raise this issue during the 10 days of previous assembly session,” said Jakhar.

“A suit for recovery of Rs 1.83 crore was filed by Punjab PWD department on December 29, 2020, seeking criminal action against Sodhi and others for committing fraud against the state. Why didn’t the BJP and SAD raise this issue in the session,” said the Congress chief.