Majithia open to impartial probe

Image
Press Trust of India Chandigarh
Last Updated : Jan 07 2014 | 8:31 PM IST
Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, who was accused of being involved in the drug racket by alleged kingpin Jagadish Singh Bhola, today said he was "open to any impartial probe" and even "ready to be hanged" if he had done any wrong, but would not be deterred from his duties by the "blackmailing tactics" of the Congress.
"My conscience is clear; I have done no wrong. My only fault is I have consistently taken the Punjab Congress head on. It is because of this that I am constantly targeted by the state Congress," Majithia said in a statement.
The Minister was referring to the land-grab scams involving Pradesh Congress President Partap Singh Bajwa which he had exposed last year in the Punjab assembly.
Attacking the Congress, he said they were siding with criminals and trying to sabotage the "war against drugs".
Defending Majithia, Shiromani Akali Dal blasted Congress for being "hand in glove" with a criminal who is trying to "turn the focus away from his grievous crimes".
"It is intriguing that Bajwa should be endorsing the tactics of a known criminal who is trying to turn the focus away from his grievous crimes," SAD MPs Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhunder, said in a joint statement.
"This is the first instance where a known criminal and a leader of a responsible political party are hand in glove with each other," they said.
Accusing Bajwa of targetting Majithia as his land-grabbing activities were exposed, the duo asked the government to probe what led to the "orchestrated outcry of Bhola and Bajwa".
"We understand that Bajwa and Bhola both see a common enemy in the SAD-BJP. But one still is shocked by the level to which the state president of a national party has fallen in his desperation born of his political frustrations because of widespread revolt against him," they said.
Majithia had yesterday rejected Bhola's charge saying it was a "wild allegation" from a known criminal, who was facing a possible life sentence, and accused the Congress of trying to tarnish his image.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 07 2014 | 8:31 PM IST

Next Story