Sidhu in TKSS: Sigh of relief for minister as AG Atul Nada finds no conflict of interest

Putting an end to the controversy surrounding Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu continuing his appearance on popular comedy series 'The Kapil Sharma Show', Punjab Advocate General Atul Nanda said he did not find any conflict of interest between the former's office as state cabinet minister and his work in television shows.

"There is no conflict of interest between his work on the show and his office and discharge of duties as the Minister of Local Government, Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Archives and Museums for the state of Punjab," the four-page report of the advocate general concluded on Thursday.

On receiving the report, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said there was no hindrance now to Sidhu's continuation on TV shows, nor any need to change his culture portfolio.

There was, in the opinion of the advocate general, no violation of the Constitution of India, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, or the Code of Conduct in this case.

As per his opinion, Sidhu "faces no legal bar in continuing with his work on the show."

Citing the Constitution, the report concluded that the role and function of a celebrity judge on the show is not an office-of-profit under the Government of India/the State Government. It is not even an office under the Government of India/State Government, it further said, adding, "Hence the continuation of such work would not invite the disqualification of holding of an office-of-profit within the meaning of Article 191(1)."

The advocate general further opined that there was no impediment to the Minister continuing with his work on the show in terms of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, which sets out various disqualifications under Sections 8, 8-A, 9, 9-A, 10, 10-A, 11-A.

The minister's continuation of work on the show also does not violate Clause 1(b) of the Minster's Code of Code, the advocate general stated in his report.

The advocate general was entrusted by the Chief Minister with the task of giving his legal opinion on whether there was any prohibition or restriction in the continuation of Sidhu's work as celebrity guest in 'The Kapil Sharma Show,' as such work may amount to a conflict of interest.