Snubbed, say AAP MLAs; Akalis stay away from event

Chandigarh : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs today alleged that seats were not reserved for them at the swearing-in of the Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government, even the Akalis skipped the ceremony, claiming that the ruling party had already unleashed political vendetta. The AAP legislators, led by HS Phoolka, Leader of the Opposition, alleged breach of protocol. Phoolka told The Tribune, “Our MLAs represent lakhs of people, but we were not given seats. We all stood in the last row in the pandal throughout the ceremony.” Party chief whip and Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira said such treatment of the main opposition party was unprecedented. He said the swearing-in depicted the feudal mindset of the Congress and Amarinder.
AAP MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia said the Chief Minister should have extended an invitation to the Leader of the Opposition.
AAP MP Harinder singh Khalsa, however, was seen sitting in the VIP enclosure
Meanwhile, pointing out incidents of violence against its workers in Amritsar and Mansa, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal asked Amarinder to rein in the police and Congress leaders.
Sukhbir stated that soon after the poll result, two men were killed in a clash between rival truck unions owing allegiance to the SAD and the Congress in Bareta (Mansa). He said Akali worker Gurbachan Singh Khalsa had been murdered earlier this week by alleged Congress activist Col Surjit Singh (retd) in Pherochichi village of Amritsar district. Reacting to the AAP allegation, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) said it was a mischievous attempt to undermine the Governor’s office. A PPCC spokesperson said a panic-stricken AAP was trying desperately to defame the newly-formed government by making baseless allegations.
Ex-CM Badal stays put in Lambi
Lambi: SAD patron and former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal preferred to remain away from the oath-taking ceremony of PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh as the new Chief Minister. All other functionaries of the previous regime were also conspicuous by their absence. Badal spent most of the day at his native village residence here. He, however, saw the entire ceremony from home, said sources. Later, he went to the residence of a party leader at Lalbai village in his home turf Lambi to condole the demise of the latter’s family member. During the day, he also met a few party workers at his mansion. Meanwhile, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal visited Faridkot and Kotkapura Assembly constituencies in Faridkot district to hold meetings with party activists and to boost their morale. Later in the evening, the father-son duo left for Rajasthan for a wedding.