Cong MLAs out of sync as CM fails to turn up

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 24

The ruling party MLAs, in absence of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, today appeared not in sync with each other as the Opposition benches took on the government over DGP Dinkar Gupta’s remark on Kartarpur corridor.

Though the DGP has already expressed regret over the matter, the Opposition did not allow the House proceedings to move on. Demanding dismissal of the DGP, the Akali Dal and AAP also sought clarification from the Chief Minister.

While MLAs of both parties stormed into the well of the House and raised slogans against the Congress, Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Zira MLA Kulbir Singh Zira took on their own MLA for not taking the Opposition head-on.

Heated arguments ensued between Zira and Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjit Singh, after the latter was seen questioning the former’s authority in leading the charge. Other party MLAs Vijay Inder Singla, Parminder Singh Pinki, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring intervened to cool the tampers amid sloganeering by the Opposition.

As soon as SAD leader Bikram Majithia dragged the name of the Gandhi family into the DGP’s matter, Randhawa and Zira took on the Akalis, alleging Majithia’s links with Anwar Masih, who was arrested in the Rs1,000-crore drug haul case.

Though sources said instructions had been issued to the MLAs to defend the government in the DGP’s issue, they appeared out of sync. As the Opposition continued with its tirade, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra appealed to Speaker Rana KP Singh to fix time for debate on the issue.

The Speaker informed the House that the Chief Minister would clarify the government’s stand on Tuesday, but the Opposition refused to relent and demanded reply today itself.

Trading barbs

• SAD and AAP MLAs stormed into the well of the House and raised slogans against the Congress
• Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Zira MLA Kulbir Singh Zira took on their own MLAs for not taking the Opposition head-on
• SAD’s Bikram Majithia dragged the name of the Gandhi family into the DGP’s matter
• At this, Randhawa and Zira took on the Akalis, alleging Majithia’s links with Anwar Masih, who was arrested in the drug haul case

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