MLA creates flutter, says Bajwa to replace Capt

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, January 18

Balwinder Laddi, Congress MLA from Sri Hargobindpur, publicly claimed that “Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa will become the Chief Minister of Punjab after four months”.

He said this in the presence of Bajwa and his younger brother and Qadian MLA Fateh Jang Singh.

Fateh was quick to disassociate himself from Laddi’s statement, saying that “his leader was Capt Amarinder Singh and nobody else”.

“I am firmly with Capt Amarinder. Apart from him, I do not recognise anybody as my leader. I disassociate myself from Laddi’s statement,” he said.

The Gurdaspur District Congress Committee has two factions. While one is led by Bajwa, the other by Cabinet ministers Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa. Laddi is a long time loyalist of Partap Bajwa, who had been instrumental in getting him the party ticket in both 2012 and 2017 Assembly elections.

Laddi, at a function held yesterday in Ghuman, which forms a part of his Assembly seat, said “performance of the present government so far has been average and things will start improving after four months once Bajwa becomes the CM”.

A video of his speech went viral and has become the talking point among Congressmen. The incident triggered strong reactions from Bajwa baiters.

Dera Baba Nanak MLA Randhawa said: “Laddi will have to face repercussions. He should have known that the appointment of the CM is the prerogative of AICC president Rahul Gandhi. It is a clear case of misconduct.”

“I wonder since when has Laddi superseded Rahul? He should be reprimanded,” maintained Tript Bajwa.

The MLA’s speech becomes politically significant as it comes barely days after Partap Bajwa admitted that he was in the race for party ticket from the Gurdaspur constituency despite the fact that sitting MP Sunil Jakhar has already made it clear that he will re-contest.

“We do not rule out action against the legislator. He has jumped the gun. The General Elections are around the corner and such statements would vitiate the political atmosphere,” said a minister.