Rivals turned friends to fight a common foe. Unprecedented attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MlAs by the marshals during the ongoing budget session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday brought the rivals SAD-BJP combine and AAP-lok Insaaf Party (lIP) alliance together to stand against the ruling Congress.
Akali Dal not only came to the rescue of AAP MlAs when they were being picked and thrown out, they were shouting slogans in one voice, protesting together, helping each other against the Speaker Rana KP Singh’s alleged “dictatorial attitude”.
It was Akali Dal MlA who acted as a custodian of one of the AAP MlA’s turban, and ensured to return with full respect.
Missing from action since the SAD-BJP’s resounding defeat in 2017 assembly polls, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal too jumped into the rink. Going a step ahead, he visited the “injured” AAP MlAs in Sector-16 Government Medical Hospital, where they were being treated.
Inside the Vidhan Sabha, SAD president Sukhbir Badal virtually lashed out at the Speaker for “acting as a dictator” when he ordered “forceful” eviction of all AAP MlAs, who have been protesting demanding entry of their “under suspension” members. He pointed out that turbans were being tossed and dupattas were being removed.
Sukhbir even managed the sneaky entry of AAP MlA Sukhpal Khaia and lIP MlA Simarjeet Bains in the Vidhan Sabha building, who were struggling to get in since morning.
Sukhbir even led the protesting AAP-lIP members into the House pointing that “no notice has been put up by the Speaker” disallowing your entry.
Former Deputy Chief Minister even intervened when the female marshals were trying to pull AAP’s female MlAs — Rupinder Kaur Ruby and Sarabjit Kaur Manuke — out of their seats.
Former Minister and SAD MlA Bikram Majithia brought a “removed” turban of AAP MlA Manjit Singh Bilaspur in the House to highlight the sorry state of affairs.
All through, he kept it “safe” in his hands, and eventually handed over to its owner in Sector 16 Hospital, where he was being treated after he felt unconscious during the melee.
SAD MlA Pawan Kumar Tinu virtually battled with the marshals to save AAP MlA from taking out of the House.
“You cannot take them out now…house is not in session,” he was shouting while struggling to save AAP MlA from marshals’ grip.
SAD-BJP legislators were also suspended for the day after they were protesting against the Speaker’s decision to evict AAP MlAs.
If that was not enough! AAP MlAs, including leader of Opposition HS Phoolka, Aman Arora, Kanwar Sandhu, left Vidhan Sabha along with Sukhbir and Majithia (carrying turban in his hand) to Sector 16 Hospital.
One of the AAP MlA said that their member Pirmal, whose turban was removed, was a Dalit and “this is yet another attack on a Dalit leader after the attack on SAD Dalit MlA Pawan Kumar Tinu a day before”.
Sukhbir announced that the combine would launch an agitation to get Rana KP Singh removed from the prestigious chair of the Speaker.
“We are elected representatives and ‘goonda KP’ cannot use his bouncers to insult us, especially Gur Sikh MlAs,” he said, adding, “We will go to the minority commission as women MlAs were molested and Dalit MlAs manhandled,” Sukhbir claimed.
Apart from Minority Commission, Sukhbir also announced to approach the National Scheduled Caste (SC) Commission.
Majithia claimed that he was witness to Budhlada and Bhadaur MlAs being kicked by the marshals.
So much was the comradery between the two that Phoolka went on to thank Akali Dal and SGPC for showing support and concern.
“Taking notice of turbans lying on the floor, SAD opposed the Speaker and brought one
turban and gave to AAP MlA Manjit Singh in the hospital. Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC) complained to Punjab Governor against the ‘desecration of turban’,” he said.
Phoolka claimed that the total opposition is “standing firm against the Speaker and the Government in this matter”.
But in the process, the “inexperienced” AAP could not realise that the “pro” SAD, under expertise of Sukhbir and Majithia, has taken advantage of the “camaraderie” to hijack their campaign.
RESOlUTION AGAINST SAD, AAP
House, sans the opposition, passed a privilege motion against the SAD-BJP MlAs. The motion was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra, which was passed by the Congress MlAs, present in the House.
Mohindra also accused AAP MlA Jai Kishan of hitting a female marshal and damaging the property of the Vidhan Sabha.
Earlier, Brahm Mohindra had also moved a motion against SAD MlA Pawan Kumar Tinu and other SAD members for using “unparliamentary language” against the Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu in the House.