All eyes are on the Punjab Advocate-General’s office as its opinion on cricketer-turned-Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s appearance on the small screen may stir up the hornet’s nest.
His opinion on Sidhu’s continuation on a popular TV show may eventually end up affecting other Ministers, or legislators or parliamentarians.
A controversy has erupted after Sidhu, who was appointed as Punjab’s local Bodies, Tourism and Culture Minister, declared that he would continue his television appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show along with carrying out his ministerial responsibilities.
Punjab AG Atul Nanda on Tuesday told The Pioneer that he is yet to go through the “facts” on the issue before giving his “opinion”.
Nanda said that the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had discussed with him the issue whether Sidhu could continue with the television show.
“Chief Minister had discussed the issue with me but, as of now, I am yet to see the file and all facts before giving my opinion. Only when I have all the facts before me, I would be able to formulate an opinion,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sidhu’s wife and former MlA Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu has made it clear that Sidhu would “quit the show in case of conflict of interest”.
Contending that TV show was “not an office of profit”, Sidhu asserted, “Boss is always right”.
“I would abide by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s decision on whether I should quit the popular television show,” he said on Tuesday.
“Sometimes I work all seven days from early morning till 6 pm. So, what I do after 6 pm is nobody's business. It's not office of profit,” Sidhu said.
The Sidhu couple also cited examples of Chandigarh’s BJP MP Kirron Kher who is also continuing with her appearance on the reality shows on television as judge.
A senior advocate opined, “The office of profit is under the government and Sidhu’s TV show may not fall under its definition.”
A day before, Capt Amarinder maintained that he has asked or the AG’s opinion on the issue.
“I don't know what the Constitution says or the law is on this matter. We will have to ask our Advocate General to give us an opinion whether a person who is a minister can do what he wants to do. It will entirely depend on what the legal opinion and then I will bring it to Navjot Singh Sidhu's notice. Frankly, I don't know whether it is a conflict of interest. Once I get an opinion from them (advocate general and legal experts), I will have a chat with him,” Capt Amarinder had told a media channel on Monday.