Vij, Saini at loggerheads over ‘janata darbar’

Manish Sirhindi

Tribune News Service

Ambala, November 13

A “janata darbar” by Minister of State (MoS) for Mines and Renewable Energy Nayab Singh Saini in Health Minister Anil Vij’s constituency last week seems to have become a bone of contention between the two ministers.

Vij has asked his colleague to refrain from holding such “darbars” in his constituency, Ambala Cantt.

Saini’s department is attached with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Saini had, on November 6, held a “janata darbar” at the PWD Rest House in Ambala Cantt, where Vij used to hold his weekly “darbar” till a few months ago.

Earlier, Saini used to hear public grievances in his segment (Naraingarh). Since Vij stopped holding the “darbar” in Ambala Cantt, Saini started doing so in the Health Minister’s home district.

This did not go down well with Vij, who issued a statement to the media today, asking the Naraingarh MLA to “concentrate on his own constituency”.

He said he would be taking up the matter with the Chief Minister and state BJP president Subhash Barala, requesting them to rein in Saini.

Saini, for his part, appeared desperate to play down the controversy, saying his intentions were to ensure that Ambala progressed “under the able guidance of Anil Vij”.

Vij claimed Saini ignored party workers of local units during his “janata darbar”, while the MoS feigned ignorance as to what provoked the senior party leader to pick up the issue.

Vij told The Tribune party workers had approached him alleging Saini was trying to patronise some of the “rejected and dejected” members of the party, while the elected members of local party units were being ignored. “Such type of ‘parallel actions’ (janata darbar) are not acceptable,” Vij said. Saini, meanwhile, said: “Vij is a senior party leader and he will not offend him. I will visit Anil Vij and have tea with him to resolve the matter.”