Punjab BJP chief demands Majithia's resignation
Putting alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a tight spot over the issue of resignation of revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia after Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons, the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought his immediate resignation from the council of ministers.
Putting alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a tight spot over the issue of resignation of revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia after Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons, the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought his immediate resignation from the council of ministers.
"The minister's summoning is a serious development. Right from the beginning, we have maintained that if those holding important positions in the government are linked to drugs, they must resign to ensure a fair probe. Majithia must also resign," said state BJP chief Kamal Sharma who was in Jalandhar to attend a party function.
Sharma reasoned that his party had welcomed the resignation of Sarwan Singh Phillaur from the cabinet in March this year after his son's name cropped up in the drug case and had repeatedly sought the resignation of chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) and SAD MLA from Phillaur, Avinash Chander, after his repeated summoning by the ED.
"Even SAD's cabinet minister Gulzar Singh Ranike had resigned when his name was linked to the scam related to the central government funds for border areas. Leaders can come back to power after getting a clean chit. Majithia must follow the precedence," said Sharma.
BJP puts onus on SAD
The BJP president said that as an alliance partner, it was the party's duty to raise the resignation demand with Badal.
"We are not going to set any deadline. Our party has repeatedly said we will not compromise on the issue of drugs. Being the head of the government, the chief minister has to take the call on Majithia's resignation," Sharma said.
Sources said Sharma was under immense pressure from the SAD not to give any statement on the issue.