Snubbed, say AAP MLAs; Akalis stay away from event

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 16

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs today alleged that seats were not reserved for them at the swearing-in of the Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government, even the Akalis skipped the ceremony, claiming that the ruling party had already unleashed political vendetta.

The AAP legislators, led by HS Phoolka, Leader of the Opposition, alleged breach of protocol. Phoolka told The Tribune, “Our MLAs represent lakhs of people, but we were not given seats. We all stood in the last row in the pandal throughout the ceremony.”

Party chief whip and Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira said such treatment of the main opposition party was unprecedented. He said the swearing-in depicted the feudal mindset of the Congress and Amarinder.

AAP MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia said the Chief Minister should have extended an invitation to the Leader of the Opposition.

AAP MP Harinder singh Khalsa, however, was seen sitting in the VIP enclosure

Meanwhile, pointing out incidents of violence against its workers in Amritsar and Mansa, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal asked Amarinder to rein in the police and Congress leaders.

Sukhbir stated that soon after the poll result, two men were killed in a clash between rival truck unions owing allegiance to the SAD and the Congress in Bareta (Mansa). He said Akali worker Gurbachan Singh Khalsa had been murdered earlier this week by alleged Congress activist Col Surjit Singh (retd) in Pherochichi village of Amritsar district.

Reacting to the AAP allegation, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) said it was a mischievous attempt to undermine the Governor’s office. A PPCC spokesperson said a panic-stricken AAP was trying desperately to defame the newly-formed government by making baseless allegations.

Ex-CM Badal stays put in Lambi 

Lambi: SAD patron and former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal preferred to remain away from the oath-taking ceremony of PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh as the new Chief Minister. All other functionaries of the previous regime were also conspicuous by their absence. Badal spent most of the day at his native village residence here. He, however, saw the entire ceremony from home, said sources. Later, he went to the residence of a party leader at Lalbai village in his home turf Lambi to condole the demise of the latter’s family member. During the day, he also met a few party workers at his mansion. Meanwhile, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal visited Faridkot and Kotkapura Assembly constituencies in Faridkot district to hold meetings with party activists and to boost their morale. Later in the evening, the father-son duo left for Rajasthan for a wedding.  — Archit Watts

Sidelights 

Decorated soldier: Capt Amarinder Singh came dressed in a full-sleeve kurta with a black jacket, sporting all his medals

Showing the way: Brahm Mohindra, immediately after taking oath, walked up to Dr Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi to take their blessings. Other ministers followed suit

Early bird: Tript Rajinder Bajwa arrived at the venue at 9 am sharp, while others reached half an hour before the “auspicious” time of taking oath at 10.17 am

Attraction of the day: The cynosure of all eyes was Aroosa Alam, Amarinder’s Pakistani friend. She was seated in the first row along with her elder sister. Most leaders made it a point to exchange pleasantries with her

Parking woes: Though the Congress sent invitation cards to the dignitaries and mediapersons, parking passes were not enclosed. Party MLA Brahm Mohindra was among those initially stopped at the entrance, where cops insisted on seeing his invite first. He had to convince them to take his family along. Former PPCC HS Hanspal failed to get entry 

Damage done: At the tea party, some Congress workers, who were eager to meet vice-president Rahul Gandhi, broke a windowpane and damaged the fire-fighting equipment

Warm hug: Just after the ceremony, as Rahul Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh were leaving, Amarinder rushed towards them and gave a bear hug to Rahul 

Reading trouble: Brahm Mohindra, while taking the oath, forgot to wear his glasses and fumbled. He then took out his glasses and continued to read out his oath

Sidhu bloopers: Navjot Sidhu forgot to shake hands with the Governor after taking oath and was politely prodded by Governor’s secretary to do so. He also forgot to shake hands with Amarinder and was called out by the latter

VIP seat row: Most MLAs, including those of the ruling party, were made to sit outside the VIP enclosure. Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu was heard strongly protesting for being “excluded”

Selfie stars: The most favourite persons for getting selfies clicked with were Aroosa Alam and Rahul Gandhi. Though Rahul did not oblige many, Aroosa was more than glad to do so.