Khaira accuses CM Amarinder of running Punjab like a princely state

Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira today accused Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh of running the state like a princely state by "throwing to winds" the Constitution and norms of democracy.

Amarinder Singh is a chief minister in absentia, mostly holidaying with his foreign friends while Punjab is battling with burning issues like "poisonous waters, rampant corruption, unstoppable menace of drugs, rising unemployment, unending suicides by farmers, broken down law and order", he alleged in a statement here.

Khaira said that instead of tackling critical issues on a day to day basis, Amarinder Singh relied on a coterie of nominated politicians and blue-eyed officers.

He alleged the latest example of Amarinder Singh's complete ignorance was his "callous and casual approach" towards widespread pollution in the rivers which was aggravating terminal diseases like cancer, hepatitis in Punjab.

Khaira claimed the chief minister was misusing the brute mandate of the people "to flay the Constitution and set wrong precedents", to benefit individuals belonging to his party rather than watching public interest.

He said the waiving of Rs 84 lakh penalty of former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal for her unauthorised stay in a government bungalow can never be justified.

He claimed the appointment of late chief minister Beant Singh's grandson as a direct DSP in Punjab Police, will never stand the scrutiny of law.

Khaira claimed emboldened by complete silence of his cabinet colleagues, Amarinder Singh was now heading to not follow another decision of the Supreme Court wherein it has directed all former chief ministers to vacate government bungalows.

But Amarinder Singh is now on the verge of appointing Bhattal as the vice chairperson of planning board, merely to allow her to retain the bungalow, he alleged.

This, he said was nothing but challenging the authority of Supreme Court.

Khaira said the "feudal actions" of Amarinder Singh showed he was trying to run Punjab as his personal fiefdom or a family estate like his yesteryear ancestors, throwing to winds the laid down principles of democracy as enshrined in the Constitution of India.