Chandigarh, June 18
The relationship between the SAD-BJP coalition partners in Punjab hit a new low with the latter boycotting a meeting of the state Cabinet today to protest against “abuses” hurled at Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia by SAD Adampur legislator Sarabjit Singh Makkar yesterday.
The BJP also announced its decision to boycott all common programmes till the matter was resolved, saying the treatment meted out to Kalia was “unacceptable”. BJP state president Rajinder Bhandari has talked to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the issue besides briefing party’s Punjab in charge Balbir Punj. He said the party central leadership had taken a “serious” view of the issue. Kalia is believed to have also briefed party president Rajnath Singh about the incident.
According to sources SAD legislator Makkar arrived at Kalia’s official residence here yesterday at 3 pm and berated the minister for not clearing files pertaining to two properties on which his family is constructing malls in Jalandhar. Sources close to the minister claimed Makkar abused the latter for about 15 minutes despite the fact that Kalia told him that his files had been cleared and that one file had been sent to the PSIDC already.
On the issue, Kalia said, “Yes, an incident involving Makkar did happen at my residence yesterday.” He, however, said he did not want to disclose any details, adding that “I have approached Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to seek justice not only because he is the leader of the coalition government but also because he is our elder”.
Akali legislator Makkar, however, does not seem repentant. He maintained that he had not abused the minister. He, however, confirmed his visit to Kalia’s house saying “when a minister does not do work of workers or the party, it is natural to make a request to get the work done”. The legislator claimed that the two files in question were with Kalia since November last year.
Makkar also took a dig at the BJP saying, “They do not listen to the people” and also accused Kalia of keeping all department powers with him. Maintaining that he had not committed any wrong, he said, “If the Chief Minister asks me to resign I will do so in a minute”.
The point of contention apparently is two files pertaining to two mall projects in the name of Makkar and his brother Bhupinder Singh Makkar at Jalandhar at 323, New Jawahar Nagar, and 16, Police Lines, respectively. It is learnt that non-construction fee of around Rs 45 lakh was waived for the Jawahar Nagar Mall project around one and a half years back.
Source said since November while a request had been made to extend the basement of the Jawahar Nagar project by 10 per cent, regarding the other Mall it had been requested that it be allowed to construct up to 66 feet from the present 59. Both relaxations have been reportedly granted, according to sources close to the minister.
