Punjab CM says opposition leaders running away from Nov 1 debate
Chandigarh (PTI)L: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Sunday accused the opposition party leaders of running away from the November 1 open debate out of fear of being exposed for their "misdeeds."
In a lighter vein, he said the leaders, should they choose to come, will be welcomed by drinks of their choice.
"Their favourite refreshments, like diet coke and pizza for Sukhbir Badal, black coffee for Bajwa, a glass of kinnow juice for Jakhar and tea for Warring," Mann said.
A few days ago, Mann had dared Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, leader of opposition in Punjab assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for an open debate on several issues concerning the state.
The challenge was thrown by him amid opposition parties' criticism of his government over the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal issue.
The debate is scheduled to be held in the auditorium of the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana on November 1.
Addressing a gathering here after giving appointment letters to new recruits hired across several government departments, Mann alleged that the opposition leaders were hand-in glove with those who ruined the state and that is why they are running away from the debate.
"Not only the SYL (Sutlej Yamuna Link canal), I want to debate on all issues related to Punjab. How farming turned into a loss making occupation. How the water was taken from our rivers. How the drug nexus spread. How our business migrated to other states and how our youth started moving out to other countries," he said.
"But they are making excuses They will not come because they cannot speak the truth," Mann said, adding, he will go to the debate.
Shiromani Akali Dal has already stated that the debate announced by the ruling AAP was "sham" and the party would not be part of this "anti-Punjab exercise."
Jakhar has suggested that a three-member panel be formed to steer the debate and proposed the names of former MP Dharamvira Gandhi, former MLA H S Phoolka, and Kanwar Sandhu.
Bajwa demanded that the debate be moderated by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or a person on whom political parties agree.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
===================
The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
