Cong's no-trust motion against Pb govt defeated

The no-confidence motion moved by Opposition Congress against the SAD-BJP led Punjab government for "failing to check drug abuse in the state" was today defeated after it was put to vote in the state Assembly.
SAD-ally BJP which had sought resignation of Punjab Cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, however, voted against the motion which was defeated by voice vote.
The no-confidence motion was moved in background of the summons issued by Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Majithia in the drug smuggling racket.
Immediately after the Question Hour, Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar requested Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal to allow him to move the no-confidence motion against the government led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Jakhar, while moving the motion, said, "this House expresses its no confidence in the present council of ministers headed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal."
Announcing the ground of the no-confidence motion, Jakhar said, "The growing drug abuse in Punjab is threatening the very future of the state. The Council of ministers has not only failed to check the menace of drug trafficking but senior ministers and MLAs of the ruling party are also being investigated for their alleged roles in the drug trade. Hence, this House loses confidence in the present council of ministers headed by Badal."

After Jakhar sought for moving the motion, Badal urged the Speaker to hold the immediate debate on the motion in the House before proceeding for other work.

"I do not have the right to sit here if this House does not have the confidence in me. Therefore, I request for holding an immediate debate," he said in the House.
Initiating the debate, Jakhar sought a CBI probe monitored by a sitting judge in the drug racket in Punjab to expose the "real culprits" involved in this crime.
Describing the drug abuse as "biggest blot" on Punjab's image, Jakhar accused the state government of failing in its duty in checking growing drug menace and also allegedly patronising people involved in the drug trade.
Accusing the state government of failing in fulfilling its promise of providing enough employment opportunities to youth, Jakhar said unemployment was driving unemployed youth to take drugs.

Taking on Majithia, who has been summoned by ED, Jakhar said had the revenue minister resigned from his post, he would have done service to his party. "It is now too late," he said.
Demanding Majithia's resignation, Jakhar said, "the stage now has come where he has crossed all the limits and there is no point of return. He (Majithia) would have to go."
"He is a victim of wrong doings, the kind of company he has kept and he is a victim of own growing popularity," said Jakhar.