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Khaira set to be disqualified as MLA

Posted in Featured, S. Asia

Published on January 20, 2019 with No Comments

His supporter Jaito MLA Baldev Singh too resigns from AAP

May trigger election to LoP post

  • The Akali Dal-BJP, too, has 17 legislators (14 of the Akali Dal and three of the BJP). 
  • With both Opposition parties having similar number of MLAs (provided three AAP MLAs are disqualified), the SAD-BJP can stake claim to the post of Leader of Opposition, which will lead to election for the post.
  • Sensing this, the AAP leadership has taken action only against Khaira. The move is meant to stem the rebellion, as other rebels would not like to give up their Vidhan Sabha membership and force bypolls in their segments.

Cong suspends Punjab MLA who raised voice against Police –Mafia links

Punjab state Congress has suspended Zira MLA Kulbir Singh Zira from the primary membership of the party for indiscipline. The MLA had reportedly taken on the Congress government over the alleged connivance of cops with the drug mafia at a public function in Ferozepur on January 12. unjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said the decision to suspend the MLA had been taken after his unsatisfactory reply to the show-cause notice. “His conduct has embarrassed the party and the government. He should have raised the issue at the party level,” said Jakhar.

Some leaders are, meanwhile, alleging double standards of the party, as similar utterances by MLA Surjit Dhiman and a Cabinet Minister had not invited any such action.Jakhar said complaints were made by Zira against the Ferozpore range IG, Mukhwinder Singh Chhina, for allegedly protecting liquor contractors and drug peddlers. “The complaint is being probed by the DGP,” he said. The IG is learnt to have met the Chief Minister to explain his position on the issue.

Zira said he would always remain loyal worker of the party and would abide its decision. “I have spoken the truth. Some police officers are protecting drug peddlers and liquor smugglers. Their act is bringing a bad name to the government. The action against me has been taken under pressure from such police officers,” Zira alleged.

On January 12, the Zira MLA had walked out of the function after alleging from the stage that the police were protecting liquor contractors and drug peddlers. This annoyed the party leadership that was administering oath to panches and sapranches for fighting the drug menace.

As the third MLA of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Baldev Singh, representing Jaito Assembly segment, resigned from the party’s primary membership, the top brass swung into action to save AAP from any further damage in Punjab.

The party sent a letter to Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana KP, saying that Sukhpal Singh Khaira had resigned from the party. Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema handed over the letter to the Speaker. With this, the disqualification of Khaira as MLA from Bholath in the Vidhan Sabha becomes inevitable.

Crushing the surging rebellion in the party became necessary as the third resignation of AAP MLA from the party will bring down their number in the House to 17. HS Phoolka, though not part of the rebel group led by Khaira, had resigned on January 3, citing differences in ideology with the party. Khaira, who has the support of six other MLAs, had resigned on January 6. He floated his own party last week and the rebel MLAs, Kanwar Sandhu (under suspension), Jagtar Singh Jagga, Nazar Singh Manshahia, Jagdev Singh Kamalu and Pirmal Singh, besides Baldev Singh, were present at the party launch function. Sources in AAP say that these MLAs are still in two minds about resigning from the party.

The Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP, too, jointly have 17 MLAs (14 of the Akali Dal and three of the BJP). With both Opposition parties having similar number of MLAs (provided the three above mentioned MLAs are disqualified), the SAD-BJP, too, can stake claim to the post of Leader of Opposition.

Probably sensing this, the AAP leadership has taken action only against Sukhpal Khaira. The move is meant to stem the rebellion, as other rebels would not like to give up their Vidhan Sabha membership and force byelections in their segments.

 

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