ਪੰਜਾਬ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ Bhagwant Mann’s OSD (Officer on Special Duty) Rajbir Singh has sent a legal defamation notice to Congress MLA and senior leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira. The notice asks Khaira to apologize publicly and in writing within 72 hours. If he does not legal action will be taken against him.
Rajbir Singh said that Khaira made false and baseless allegations against him which hurt his image and reputation.
What is the Issue?
Recently Sukhpal Khaira raised questions about the ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ’s purchase of 144 Toyota Hilux vehicles for the ਪੁਲਿਸ. He claimed that this bulk purchase cost the ਸਰਕਾਰ around ₹15 to ₹20 crore and that no discount was taken even though the order was large. He called it a major scam.
Khaira questioned why ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ Bhagwant Mann, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and the ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲਿਸ were silent on this matter. He also asked why the mainstream media was not talking about it hinting that the media might also be involved.
More Allegations by Khaira
Khaira also criticized the ਸਰਕਾਰ’s land pooling policy. He claimed that the policy is being used to grab land in ਪੰਜਾਬ with the help of land mafias and leaders from Delhi. He said the policy is a plan to drive Punjabis out and settle outsiders, as many youth from ਪੰਜਾਬ are going abroad.
He wrote on social media that the policy is being pushed by fake revolutionaries and is harmful to local ਲੋਕ.
ਸਰਕਾਰ’s Legal Response
Khaira’s remarks have increased pressure on the Aam Aadmi Party ਸਰਕਾਰ. Now with Rajbir Singh’s legal notice the matter is turning into a legal battle. The ਸਰਕਾਰ seems ready to fight back in court.
Khaira has made it clear that he will continue to raise his voice for public interest which means the issue may grow even more serious in the coming days. This controversy could have a strong impact on ਪੰਜਾਬ’s politics.
