Manpreet’s relative in ‘VIP’ mode

Varinder Singh and Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 24

Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal’s tough stand against VIP culture doesn’t seem to have rubbed off on his brother-in-law, Jaijeet Singh Johal. The latter is making his presence felt in Bathinda Urban constituency, represented by Manpreet.

Johal distributed wheat among blue-card holders under the Atta-Dal scheme here today, even though he doesn’t hold any post in the state government or the Congress. He has also been presiding over meetings of local party workers and leaders.

In the evening, Manpreet’s newly appointed media coordinator Harjot Sidhu issued a statement mentioning that Johal “listened to the grievances of people in various parts of the city today and distributed wheat under the Atta-Dal scheme among 1,600 beneficiaries. Since the Finance Minister is engrossed in his work, he has deputed Johal for sewa of the people of Bathinda.”

Johal claimed he had attended the event only to ensure that all beneficiaries were taken care of. “I went along with a team of local Congress leaders. I didn’t preside over the distribution,” he said.

During the function, District Congress Committee vice president Chhote Lal removed his clothes in protest, while alleging that local party workers were being ignored.

Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra said he didn’t know that Johal would preside over the function. “The foodgrain distribution is supposed to be done by depots. I will look into the matter,” the DC said.