Cong readies action plan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 20

To deflect the focus on the Congress government’s “dismal performance” during the one year in office, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has decided to take on AAP over its “unilateral” exoneration of former minister Bikarm Majithia in the House.

The issue was raised during a meeting of the CLP called by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to work out the floor strategy for the Budget session. Sources said seeing the political posturing of Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira, the party could bring a censure motion on the issue.

“A majority of the ministers and MLAs also demanded to adopt an aggressive stand against the Akalis. It is thus decided to counter them to expose their false propaganda against the government. Most were in favour of acting against Majithia on the basis of the STF report,” said a senior leader.

Though the CM said his government would not indulge in political vendetta, he made it clear that the “misdeeds” of the Akalis would not go unpunished and those found guilty would be dealt with according to the law.

Capt Amarinder directed the leaders to highlight the government’s achievements, particularly the clean governance. A list of such achievements has been provided to all MLAs.

Pointing out that the treasury benches were well aware of the issues likely to be raised by the Opposition, the CM told the MLAs to be well prepared with facts and data to counter the same. The task of speaking in the House on the issue of illegal sand mining was assigned to Gidderbaha MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

Wait & watch: Sidhu on STF report  

Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday dared former minister Bikram Majithia to come clear on his statement regarding the alleged expose of the excerpts from the STF report. Sidhu said the biggest fear of Majithia was that further investigation in the case might be handed over to STF chief Harpreet Singh Sidhu, whom he claimed to be his estranged cousin. "If Majithia has anything to say regarding Harpreet Singh, he should have said it in the court," he said. In a deviation from his earlier stand, Sidhu said: "Since the government has sought three weeks' time on the report, let's wait for it." On the other hand, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh told The Tribune that he was yet to read the report. "Moreover, the matter is in the court. Let it decide," he said.