M A I N   N E W S

MLAs: Drop criminal cases against politicians
‘Let’s shed vindictiveness’
Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 18
Punjab Vidhan Sabha legislators have finally admitted the existence of political vendetta in the state. Something hitherto denied by every political party while in power. A serious effort is now on to bring “cordiality” in the relationship between the ruling alliance and the Opposition by looking for ways to withdraw cases against senior politicians and party workers currently in courts.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon will seek advice of the Advocate-General before proceeding further.

The issue was brought up in the House during the zero hour by Makhan Singh of the Congress, who wanted to know the fate of a letter written to the Speaker by Deputy Speaker Satpal Gosain seeking cessation of political hostilities.

Acknowledging having received the letter, Kahlon read it out to the House and said, “I have received it and will share it with you, but the House has to take a call on the matter.”

Gosain had in a letter dated March 11 addressed to the Speaker, “By the magnanimity shown by you (granting pardon to Leader of the Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal on being held guilty of hurting the image of the Speaker’s position) the atmosphere in the House is expected to become cordial. In want to go a step further and suggest that the House must pass a resolution for withdrawal of court cases associated with important people (political leaders). In particular I am referring to cases against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Minister Ajit Singh Kohar, Captain Amrinder Singh, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and others.”

The Deputy Speaker had in a letter said that, “He is confident that by doing so the political atmosphere in the state will improve and prove to be very beneficial for the development of the state. “If this happens, Punjab could get on the road to progress and emerge as the number one state”.

Several legislators supported the move. Bhattal said the party had always been against political vendetta of nay nature, but wanted that the scope of this letter should be enhanced by including political workers too.

Intervening in the matter, Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia said, “The move is very appreciable. Vindictive politics should end. But since the cases are already at various stages in the court and this being a judicial matter, legal opinion must be taken before proceeding further.”

Kahlon agreed and said the state Advocate-General would be asked to guide the House.