BJP alleges transfer scam in Punjab, seeks Mann’s resign
The BJP on Wednesday alleged corruption in the transfer and posting of officials in Punjab and demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann immediately resign to facilitate an impartial probe.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, party national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also alleged that the “cash-for-transfer” scam is happening in Punjab at the behest of Mann. Bhatia alleged that the Punjab Police is not registering any FIR in the matter to protect those involved in it despite repeated requests by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and demanded a CBI probe into the allegations.
“Transfer-posting scam is happening in Punjab. Transfer and posting of senior IAS and IPS officials are done according to a rate card. These facts have surfaced during the Enforcement Directorate’s probe into the matter,” Bhatia said, alleging involvement of Mann’s OSD in the scam. “Does any OSD (officer on special duty) have the power to do transfer-posting of more than 20 IAS and IPS officers and that too without any knowledge of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann? This is impossible. It is not possible without the chief minister’s permission,” the BJP spokesperson said.
“We demand that Bhagwant Mann immediately resign as chief minister. A fair probe into this matter is only possible after Bhagwant Mann resigns,” Bhatia said, demanding a CBI probe into the allegations.
Bhatia said the “facts” presented by the ED before the Punjab and Haryana High Court in its affidavit reveal that confidential documents, draft lists of postings and transfers, and draft lists of Governmentpolicies to be implemented in the future were found on WhatsApp on the mobile phones of the “middlemen and touts”.
This is the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Delhi model of corruption replicated in Punjab, he charged. “Both Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal are kingpins of this scam,” the BJP spokesperson said.
“The people of Delhi gave a befitting reply to AAP. Soon, elections will be held in Punjab, and the people will punish Bhagwant Mann as well,” he added.
