Partap Singh Bajwa, president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), on Wednesday criticised chief minister Parkash Singh Badal for “feigning ignorance” about the involvement of political heavyweights in the multi-crore drug smuggling racket in the state.
Calling the statement of Kamal Sharma, president of Punjab BJP, a strong indictment of the Badal government, Bajwa said, “In case he is on the wrong side, Badal should have the guts to break this alliance and withdraw his party representative from the union cabinet as the charge is very serious.”
He also ridiculed Badal for asking Sharma to provide him the names of the ‘big fish’ “as if he does not know them”. He added that Badal should quit immediately if he was so ignorant as to not know what was going on in the state.
Pointing out that former-cop-turned-drug-smuggler Jagdish Bhola revealed the names of those involved, he said that Bhola’s court appearances have been iron-curtained ever since.
Bajwa highlighted that in an effort by the Akali Dal to understand the reasons for their poll debacle in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the drug problem in the state cropped up as one of the main reasons for public anger against the ruling party.
{{/usCountry}}Bajwa highlighted that in an effort by the Akali Dal to understand the reasons for their poll debacle in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the drug problem in the state cropped up as one of the main reasons for public anger against the ruling party.
{{/usCountry}}He also said the list of ‘big fish’ had been submitted by the then DGP, Shashi Kant, to the government.
Saying that the list included names of ministers Ajit Singh Kohar, Bikram Singh Majithia and Akali Dal MLA Amarpal Singh Bony, Bajwa accused Badal of trying to save Majithia.
He further said, “There was no proof of direct involvement of Sarwan Singh Phillaur, but he still had to resign from the cabinet as the name of his son had surfaced during investigations. It is ironic that the chief minister is resorting to double standards, saying there is no proof against Majithia.”