Punjab assembly elections are nearing and the ruling Congress is once again caught in controversy. This time fireworks have been witnessed in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Cheif Minister
Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday. The walls of the Punjab Bhawan saw heat as Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa who also holds the portfolio of Home ministry got involved in a verbal spat with Technical Education
Minister Rana Gurjeet Singh.
Chief Minister Channi was also present when the dispute erupted and had to intervene. Consequently, both ministers left the venue in a huff. The CM, in the evening, held a meeting with the
minister and tried to reach an agreement. However, the deed was done and now, the opposition has been seeking a probe into the allegations by ministers.
What exactly happened?
During the Cabinet meeting, the enraged Home Minister had said that he is being accused of taking for the postings of SSPs and DSPs in the state. He further alleged that such statements
are coming from Technical Education and Employment Generation Minister Rana Gurjeet’s side.
As Randhawa confronted Rana, the argument rose exponentially. The dispute could be heard outside the committee hall, so the doors were closed on orders.
According to reports, Randhawa stated that Rana Gurjeet was tainting his reputation.
Further, Chief Minister intervened and said that all SSPs and DSPs were appointed after consulting with local MLAs. He then inquired Razia Sultana whether or not the SSP in Malerkotla was
selected on her recommendation. Razia responded in the positive but started a new front by asking who had sent the SSP to see former CM Capt Amarinder Singh.
Also Read: AAP issues 2nd list of candidates: Former IG Vijay Pratap, ex-congressman Raman Bahl among key names
Meanwhile, Randhawa and Rana Gurjeet continued to argue. Rana Gurjeet also questioned the Deputy CM that why no action was taken in the Bargari sacrilege and drugs case, and why the STF
report was not made public.
Rana Gurjeet also raised the issue of Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Navtej Cheema refusing to him hold a function in the constituency. Rana Gurjeet blamed Randhawa for not booking Cheema for removing
the tent built by his allies before the function. Randhawa responded by telling Rana Gurjeet that it was up to the police, not the minister, to file a case. Randhawa further accused Rana Gurjeet of not speaking out against
former CM Captain Amarinder.
Opposition demands probe
Former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia has demanded the probe into the allegations against Home Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa. He stated that the "rate for posting in small districts
is Rs 2 to 3 crore and Rs 5 crore for posting in major districts."
Majithia further said that instead of starting a probe into allegations against Dy CM, Channi closed the doors. Later, he summoned everyone to his house and ordered everyone to be silent
so that no one could say anything outside.
“These charges are serious in a border state like Punjab and should be thoroughly investigated.”
The former Akali Dal leader himself levelled serious allegations against Deputy Chief Minister Randhawa. He claimed that Randhawa had previously been accused of providing VIP treatment to
UP gangster Mukhtar Ansari.