CM, LoP in war of words as BJP skips MLAs Priority Meeting
A war of words broke out between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur after the BJP boycotted the MLA Priority Meeting, alleging that the priority projects submitted by the Opposition were not being considered at all by the government.
“When the priority projects submitted by our MLAs are not being considered and no DPRs are being prepared, there’s no point in attending the priority meeting. So, the BJP has decided to boycott it,” Thakur said while addressing a press conference here today.
Rejecting the allegations, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hit back saying that “much of the NABARD funds had gone to the constituencies of the BJP MLAs in the last two years”, and spelt out the amount given to various BJP constituencies. He said the BJP leaders were desperate and fighting a battle for survival, and BJP’s boycott was driven by political considerations.
“The BJP should have at least come to the meeting and highlighted the problems and concerns of their constituencies. But instead of discussing things, the BJP chooses to stage a walkout – be it from the Assembly, the all-party meeting called by the Speaker or the MLA Priority Meeting,” said Sukhu.
He further said that the government was ensuring balanced and equitable development of all Assembly constituencies. “The priorities have been re-evaluated and recommendations have been made to NABARD without any discrimination. In the last two years, NABARD has sanctioned Rs 1,691 crore for 251 projects for Assembly constituencies,” he said.
Refuting the CM’s claim that much of the NABARD funds had gone to the constituencies of the BJP MLAs, Thakur alleged that figures given by the Chief Minister were from the time of the BJP government. “All the projects that the Chief Minister has enumerated were approved under the BJP government and the work on these projects had also started before the Congress government came to power. Instead of misleading the state, the CM should tell how many DPRs have been prepared and projects have been started in the last two years,” questioned Thakur.
Thakur further alleged that apart from being discriminated in the priority projects, the government was humiliating the BJP MLAs. “When our MLAs write to Deputy Commissioners to release funds for projects, the funds are not released. The funds are being released when the defeated or unelected Congress leaders ask the DC to do so,” allege Thakur, adding that it was not only humiliating for the elected representative but also it was destroying the institution of the MLAs.
Thakur also alleged that the state government was diverting the Central funds to paying salaries and pensions of the employees.