Alleged highhandedness by the ruling SAD-BJP alliance during the recently-concluded civic body polls in Punjab was raised on Tuesday in the state Vidhan Sabha. Almost all the Congress MlAs, who participated in the discussion on the Governor’s address, mentioned one incident or two to highlight the lawlessness and highhandedness by the government machinery and the ruling parties to win elections.
Punjab’s six municipal corporations and 122 municipal committees and nagar panchayats went to poll in the last week of February, and that SAD-BJP alliance won majority of seats. Congress MlA from Kharar Jagmohan Singh Kang maintained that from the process of delimitation to the elections of the municipal committee presidents, the government has created such a terror that the entire process lost its relevance.
Another Congress MlA from Chankaur Sahib Charanjit Singh Channi, while referring to Governor’s statement that democratic system has been strengthened, remarked that instead it was police system that have been strengthened during MC polls.
His allegations were supported by Congress MlAs including Balbir Singh Sidhu, Surjit Singh Randhawa, among others. Qadian MlA Charnjit Kaur Bajwa, wife of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa, also lashed out at the treasury benches for misusing their power in an utmost manner to secure victory in municipal elections.
later, wrapping up discussion on the Governor’s address, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal rubbished Congress’ allegations of highhandedness and undemocratic polls, saying that the results and turnout had show that Punjabis believe in democracy.
CONGRESS STAGES WAlKOUT ON SC-BC RESERVATION ISSUE
On reservation to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Backward Classes (BCs) community in government jobs on contractual basis, Congress MlAs on Tuesday staged a walkout.
The issue was raised by Congress MlA Charanjit Singh Channi who moved a calling attention motion on the issue. He asserted that recruitment is being done on contractual basis without giving reservation to the SC, BC community in various government departments.
Channi, during discussion on the motion, made a statement against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that irked the treasury benches, that was not taken on record by the Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal. It followed heated exchange of words between both treasury and opposition benches which was also expunged by the Speaker.
Just as the Speaker take up the nIJIJext item on the agenda while Congress MlAs were insisting on having discussion on the issue, they trooped into the well of the House and started sloganeering. Speaker’s plea to the Congress MlAs to go back to their seats fell on deaf ears as they walked out of the house, only to return after four minutes.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, in the absence of Congress MlAs, described their behaviour as “condemnable” and unacceptable”. Urging the Speaker to “control” the opposition members, Mittal said that everyday they raise the issue of cropping of Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia’s name in the drug case.
Majithia also lashed out at the Congress MlAs for playing “divisive politics” for raising queries on the basis of caste and religion. “They are laying wrong references here…there will be no end to this and it will continue if goes unchecked. This hould be stopped,” he urged the Speaker.
“AGGRESSIVE” BIBI TAKES ON HER OWN GOVT
Former Minister and SAD MlA from Bholath Bibi Jagir Kaur, in an aggressive mood, took on her own Ministers. The senior Akali leader first argued with the Agriculture Minister and Akali MlA Tota Singh and later with local Bodies Minister and BJP MlA Anil Joshi during question hour.
Jagir Kaur lost her cool when Tota Singh asked her to carryout the ground leveling work of the land given for setting up grain market in Kapurthala district if she was in so hurry to start the construction work there.