Punjab leaders seek Kejriwal's unconditional apology for comparing Sisodia, Jain with Bhagat Singh
Chandigarh (PTI): Opposition parties in Punjab Monday slammed the ruling AAP's national convener Arvind Kejriwal for comparing party leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain with freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and demanded an unconditional apology from him.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring lashed out at Kejriwal for his Sunday comments and said it was for the first time in history that someone had invoked the great martyr's name for corruption.
He asked why the Delhi chief minister was scared of investigations.
While alleging that the BJP-led Centre of "misusing" probe agencies like the CBI, Warring claimed that the way the AAP government was "misusing" the Vigilance Bureau in Punjab, the matter will eventually go to court.
"Just because you say Sisodia is like Bhagat Singh does not make him a martyr. Martyrdom is not achieved for corruption," the Punjab Congress chief said.
Ridiculing the Aam Aadmi Party's procession as Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia headed towards the CBI headquarters for questioning in the liquor scam case, Warring asked, "Why pronounce judgements of your own?"
"What did you want to prove by making hundreds of your party workers accompany Sisodia for questioning?" he posed and alleged this amounted to building extra-legal pressure on investigating agencies.
Warring reminded Kejriwal that his AAP government was "precisely doing the same thing in Punjab, he was accusing the BJP of doing in Delhi".
"You can't have two different yardsticks; one for yourself and one for your political opponents," Warring said, adding Kejriwal should have the courage of facing the law.
Earlier, Warring said, "No individual can ever match the sacrifice and commitment of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Ji. At the young age of 23, he gave his life for the motherland. Comparison of corruption accused Satyendar Jain & Manish Sisodia with Bhagat Singh Ji by Arvind Kejriwal is unfortunate."
Congress leader and leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa asked Kejriwal to tender an apology for "dishonouring the national hero" by comparing Sisodia and Jain with freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
"Calling these ministers 'today's Bhagat Singh' is like disrespecting the martyr, who sacrificed his life during the freedom struggle. How can these ministers, who are facing investigation in connection with corruption, be called Bhagat Singh?" Bajwa asked.
Punjab BJP general secretary Jeevan Gupta also slammed Kejriwal for comparing his two leaders with the freedom fighter, saying it was an "insult" to the freedom fighters.
How can Kejriwal compare a person who was facing corruption charges with Bhagat Singh, he posed.
Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira sought an apology from Kejriwal for his comment.
"We demand an unconditional apology from Arvind Kejriwal for insulting Shaheed Bhagat Singh Ji and other martyrs by equating him to tainted and corrupt leaders like Satyendar Jain & Manish Sisodia who're only looting India while Bhagat Singh Ji laid down his life for India," he tweeted.
Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal on Sunday had termed his government's fight with the Centre as the "second freedom struggle" and compared AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain to martyr Bhagat Singh.
Kejriwal had said this after the CBI summoned Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia for questioning on Monday in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped excise policy.
"Jail bars and hanging noose could not deter Bhagat Singh's resolute intentions. This is the second fight for freedom. Manish and Satyendra are today's Bhagat Singh. After 75 years, the country got an education minister who gave good education to the poor and gave hope for a bright future. Prayers of crores of poor are with you," Kejriwal had said in a tweet in Hindi.
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Speaker Khader dismisses BJP's charges of 'delay' in swearing-in of Jeevaraj as MLA
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday rejected opposition BJP's allegations of delaying the swearing-in of D N Jeevaraj as MLA, asserting that the process was being handled strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and rules.
BJP candidate Jeevaraj, who had lost the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election to Congress leader T D Raje Gowda, was declared elected late Sunday night after reverification and recounting of postal ballots in compliance with a High Court order.
The recount reduced 255 votes from Gowda's tally, overturning his earlier victory margin of 201 votes and reversing the result.
The recount followed an election petition filed by Jeevaraj.
Addressing reporters, Khader maintained that there was no delay in administering the oath to Jeevaraj, who was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after a High Court-ordered recount of postal ballots.
“Where have we delayed? The application was submitted at 11 am. If an application is given in the morning and by evening someone says it’s delayed — how is that a delay?” he said, dismissing the allegations.
The Speaker said the matter involved 'technical issues' that required examination before fixing a date for oath-taking.
“When such a matter comes, we also need to examine it and take a decision as per rules. If an application is given in the morning, at least 24 hours must be given,” he said.
Khader stressed that his role was bound by the Constitution and not influenced by political considerations.
“When an elected MLA asks for time, we must give it under the Constitution and law. Can we refuse? No, we have to give it,” he said, rejecting suggestions that he was acting under party pressure.
He also underlined the need for trust in democratic institutions amid the controversy.
“A democracy and parliamentary system must function on trust. Without that, how can democracy be strengthened? Trust is essential,” he said, cautioning against creating suspicion around constitutional positions.
On claims that the delay was linked to the ongoing political and legal dispute over the recount, Khader said the issue did not fall within his purview.
“My responsibility is to act as per the Constitution and rules. I will ensure that whatever is due to them is done as soon as possible,” the Speaker explained.
He said he had already communicated his position when contacted and would formally inform the concerned parties. “There is no delay, nor any intention to delay. I will discharge my duties as per the Constitution,” he said.
Khader also pointed to possible legal complications in hastily administering the oath.
“If I give the oath to one person and tomorrow the court declares someone else the winner, what happens then? Will it automatically cancel? Will confusion arise?” he asked, indicating the need for due diligence.
On concerns that Jeevaraj had lost over two years of tenure, the Speaker said representation was linked to that constituency rather than an individual.
“Whoever becomes the MLA represents the constituency. Benefits are not given to an individual,” he said, adding that issues of alleged irregularities should be examined by the Election Commission.
The remarks come after the Leader of Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Speaker of 'deliberately' delaying the oath and approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking intervention, even suggesting that the Governor administer the oath if required.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the process 'Vote Dacoity' by Jeevaraj and said an FIR has been registered against the newly elected Sringeri MLA.
Defending the recount process, Jeevaraj denied allegations of tampering, while the High Court has stayed an FIR filed against him in connection with the postal ballot issue.
