MLA Phoolka to quit today

Chandigarh, October 11

Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Dakha HS Phoolka will resign as a member of the Assembly on Friday in protest against the state government’s “failure” to book former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and ex-CM Parkash Singh Badal in sacrilege and police firing incidents.

Phoolka said he had deferred his resignation earlier as the Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed action against four police officers accused of firing on protesters. Phoolka said the court did not stay proceedings against Saini on Thursday. “I’m resigning in protest against the government’s deliberate inaction.”

Since a case pertaining to the 1984 riots is listed in the Delhi HC on Friday, Phoolka said he would send it via post and email to the Speaker and inform the EC and his party. With his exit, AAP’s strength will drop to 19, of whom eight have formed a rebel group. — TNS