After derailing the Punjab Congress’ high-octane campaign against the SAD-BJP alliance Government over the issue of drugs, former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday got a word of advice from his bête noire Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.
Also the former Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhattal has asked the Patiala Royal to stand by his party over the issue of demanding CBI inquiry into the multi-crore drug racket. Capt Amarinder, chorusing with the ruling alliance, had opposed the CBI probe in the matter praising Punjab Police’s effort in dealing with the case.
“It could be his personal opinion to oppose CBI probe but after party has made its stand very clear on the issue, he has to simply follow this policy,” said Bhattal while training her guns on her long term party colleague Capt Amarinder.
She held that there was complete consensus in the party on the issue except Capt Amarinder and even those owing allegiance to him had supported the CBI probe. “Amarinder’s loyalists, including leaders from his Patiala Urban constituency and his coterie in Majha region had opposed
his views,” she said while
refusing to divulge the names of the leaders.
Bhattal claimed that Capt Amarinder’s opposition to CBI probe had not at all weakened the campaign of Punjab Congress and rather “it has united the State Congress”.
“Amarinder di te hun phook hi nikal gyi hai (Amarinder is deflated now). He stands isolated,” said Bhattal, adding that the party is united under the leadership of Partap Singh Bajwa and will perform better in the ensuing lok Sabha elections.
Questioning Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s silence on the issue of Majithia’s alleged involvement in the drug racket, Bhattal asked him to make his stand clear on
the issue.
“Till now, the Chief Minister has not made his stand clear even as Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has given clean chit to Majithia. His silence reflects ambiguity in his stand on the issue and he should clearly defend Majithia or should agree for CBI probe if he did not agree with Sukhbir and Majithia on their claims,” said Bhattal.
She held that earlier Badal would blame the Centre and borders for drug menace in Punjab but after the lid on synthetic drug racket had been blown off he stood exposed on the issue as it had become clear that drugs were rather being generated here, she said adding, “It is now clear that he was
earlier lying and ducking responsibility for controlling drug menace.”