Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu will soon have another reason to say ‘thoko taali’. The “guru” will soon get “shuru” (start) with his appearance on the popular television comedy show as the Punjab Advocate-General Atul Nanda has found “no conflict of interest” in the matter.
Nanda, who is yet to submit the formal reply to the Chief Minister on the issue, has formulated his opinion maintaining that Sidhu’s appearance on the small screen would not violate the ‘office-of-profit law’¸ and there was no conflict of interest.
As Sidhu started his new inning as Punjab’s local Government and Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, the verbose leader found himself on a sticky wicket after his decision to continue with his TV stint vis-à-vis ministerial responsibilities.
His decision invited objections from the opposition as the entertainment industry comes under the Tourism and Culture Ministry.
Now the only issue remains of propriety — whether it behoove a minister to work on television.
A section of intelligentsia has believed that Minister’s appearance on TV shows must ensure that there was no conflict of interest, and the two things do not come in the way of discharging ministerial functions.
Sources informed The Pioneer that Nanda has talked to the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on the issue as the latter has some queries to be cleared.
After Capt Amarinder’s return from the national capital, he would have a detailed meeting with the AG Nanda on the issue.
Meanwhile, Capt Amarinder has made it clear that he “personally” has “no objection” to Sidhu’s TV appearance if it was constitutionally permissible.
Making it clear that he would “wait for the AG’s advice on the issue”, Capt Amarinder has maintained that in case Sidhu’s ‘Culture’ portfolio was found to be in conflict with his television work, the same could be changed.
All eyes are on Punjab AG as his opinion on the former cricketer’s appearance on the small screen may stir up the hornet’s nest. His opinion on Sidhu’s continuation on a popular TV show, The Kapil Sharma Show, may eventually end up affecting other Ministers, or legislators or parliamentarians.
Sidhu has all along been maintaining that his case did not amount to “office of profit”. At the same time, he had also made it clear he would abide by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s decision “on whether I should quit the popular television show”.
“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 had contended a day before.
Sidhu’s wife and former MlA Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu had also asserted that Amritsar’s former MP would “quit the show in case of conflict of interest”.
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. “Even Shatrughan Sinha ji worked in a film when he was a union minister,” argued Dr Sidhu.
A senior advocate had maintained that the office of profit “is under the government and Sidhu’s TV show may not fall under its definition”.
HAVE NO OBJECTION WITH SIDHU’S TV APPEARANCE: CAPT
“Since I am personally not aware of the Constitutional position in this regard, I would wait for the AG’s advice,” said the Chief Minister, adding that if Sidhu’s culture portfolio was found to be in conflict with his television work then the same could be changed.
Capt Amarinder said that Sidhu was a sensible and intelligent person and would have checked out his legal and Constitution position in the matter of working for TV shows after joining his cabinet as a minister.
“He is earning his own keep. What objection can we have to someone earning his own money by his own meansIJ People can have professions and run businesses. However, we have asked the Punjab Advocate General for an opinion and may change Sidhu's portfolio as Culture and Tourism Minister, if we are advised to,” he said.
He added that if it is constitutionally fine for people to earn their own money, then there should be no objections.
SHOUlD I RUN BUSES lIKE SUKHBIRIJ: SIDHU
Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday said that nobody should have any issue if he was working elsewhere as long as it was not improper and didn't involve illegal means.
Sidhu, speaking to a TV channel, said: “Should I run bus service like SukhbirIJ Or indulge in corruptionIJ”
He said that if he was working four days in a month from 7 pm to 6 am, without affecting his responsibility as a minister, why anybody should be botheredIJ
“If I work four days a month 7 pm to 6 am why are people getting stomachacheIJ” asked Sidhu, who has been working on a popular comedy show on TV.
MANN ASKS SIDHU TO QUIT TV
Comedian-turned-politician and Aam Admi Party MP from Sangrur Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday asked Navjot Sidhu to quit the comedy show as he did, after becoming Amritsar MP.
“Even after having many other sources of income, Sidhu is unwilling to quit the show, while I quit it soon after becoming the MP and had no other proper source of income,” said Mann.
“Navjot Sidhu is not a government employee to work from 9 am to 5 pm. He is a minister and must work round the clock for the welfare of people,” added Mann.