Akali leader Hira Singh contradicts party norms

Tribune News Service

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Ludhiana, June 24

A senior Akali leader and former Cabinet Minister Hira Singh Gabria embarrassed his own party by inaugurating a building material shop at Pakhowal Road yesterday, which sells sand at half rate to the blue card holders.

While talking to the Tribune, Gabria, who is also the chairman of the District Planning Board, said, “I was invited by the shop owner for inaugurating a building material shop at Pakhowal. I was informed that there will also be bhog of the Akhand Path. Following the invitation, I went there and participated in the path and then inaugurated the building material shop. Afterwards, the shop proprietor made an announcement that he would sell sand to all the blue card holders at half rate.”

When asked as if he had challenged or contradicted his own government’s stand on sand prices, Gabria said, “There is no problem of sand in the state. Moreover, it is good if someone is selling anything to the needy people at cheaper rates. So, there is nothing like challenging or contradicting the state government. I might have attended the function even if I had been aware of this announcement by the owner in advance.”