News Analysis India

Tag: Pargat Singh

  • ‘Hand in glove with BJP’: Punjab Minister Pargat slams Amarinder on stance on Centre’s BSF jurisdiction

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab minister Pargat Singh on Thursday slammed former chief minister Amarinder Singh, who voiced his support for the Centre’s decision to extend the BSF’s jurisdiction in the state, accusing the senior leader of having a role behind the move.

    Amarinder Singh hit back at the minister, saying that he and Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu had nothing better to do than cook up ridiculous stories for cheap publicity.

    In a joint press conference, Punjab ministers Pargat Singh and Vijay Inder Singla termed the Centre’s decision to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force an “attack on federalism”.

    While slamming the Centre, Pargat Singh targeted Amarinder Singh as well, alleging that he was hand-in-glove with the BJP.

    Pargat Singh, who is the education and sports minister in the Charanjit Singh Channi led Congress government, slammed the former chief minister who voiced his support for the Centre’s move on Wednesday and said that it will “only make us stronger”.

    “Let’s not drag the central armed forces into politics,” Amarinder Singh had said.

    Dubbing his statement “unfortunate”, Pargat Singh, a former Indian hockey team captain, said, “He acts like he is with the BJP.”

    “What does Captain sahab (Amarinder) want to prove. I have always said that he is with the BJP,” he said Pargat Singh made a reference to Amarinder Singh’s recent visit to Delhi where he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    “When he had gone earlier, he got paddy procurement delayed, now he has done this mischief getting the Centre to extend BSF’s jurisdiction,” he alleged.

    “Captain sahab, please do not do this. We respect you but do not get all this done after mixing up with the BJP,” Pargat Singh said. Amarinder Singh hit back at Pargat Singh, saying that this was the height of irresponsibility from a state minister.

    “You and @sherryontopp (Navjot Sidhu) are clearly birds of the same feather, with nothing better to do than cook up ridiculous stories for cheap publicity,” the former chief minister’s media advisor quoted him as saying in a tweet.

    Amarinder Singh also took a dig at senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, who in response to being asked to comment on the former CM supporting the Centre’s move, reportedly said why did Amarinder Singh not write to the Centre earlier to increase BSF’s jurisdiction limit from 15 km to 50 km.

    “How ridiculous! You mean I’m dictating @HMO (Union Home Ministry) decisions now not just in Punjab but also in Gujarat, WB (West Bengal), Assam, etc,” Amarinder Singh asked Surjewala.

    “A person who couldn’t win an election in his own state (Haryana) has frankly no right to speak on national issues,” the former chief minister said.

    Pargat Singh claimed that with this order of the Centre, half of Punjab will come under the BSF’s control.

    The Centre wants to “later show Punjab as a disturbed state and push for the imposition of the Governor’s rule”, he alleged, adding that it will not be successful in its designs.

    Minister Singla alleged that the BJP-led central government was trying to “infiltrate the rights of states, but it will not be allowed to break the federal structure”.

    “We have seen earlier how the Centre has tried to weaken the rights and powers of states,” he said.

    Meanwhile, former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said that security forces should not be used as a political tool.

    “We are proud of our security forces which are meant to secure our borders and protect India from foreign aggressors.

    Using them to cover up failures and to clean up the mess created by leaders and governments is very alarming,” he said in a tweet.

    “It not only denigrates our brave forces but also adversely affects their morale, discipline and preparedness. It’s this use of our forces as a political tool which should be avoided. No one knows it better than @ capt_amarinder Singh ji,” he said.

    The Union government has amended the BSF Act to authorise the force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a 50-km stretch, instead of the existing 15 km, from the international borders in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.

    The Union Home Ministry issued a notification on October 11, amending a July, 2014 provision for BSF personnel and officers while they operate in the border areas.

    Punjab shares border with Pakistan.

    The notification will allow the BSF to execute the powers of search, seizure and arrest for the purpose of prevention of any offence punishable under the Passport Act, the Registration of Foreigners Act, the Central Excises and Salt Act, the Foreigners Act, the Foreign Exchange Management Act, the Customs Act or of any cognisable offence punishable under any other central act, according to officials.

  • Rawat should tell when it was decided to fight Punjab polls under Amarinder’s leadership: Sidhu camp

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Amid the tussle within the Congress’ Punjab unit, its general secretary and MLA Pargat Singh on Sunday said Harish Rawat, the in-charge of the party’s state affairs, should explain when was a decision taken to fight the assembly polls under Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s leadership.

    Rawat had recently said the Punjab Assembly polls will be fought under the leadership of Amarinder Singh, delivering a snub to the leaders wanting the chief minister’s removal.

    He had made this remark in Dehradun where four Punjab ministers — Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Charanjit Singh Channi and three legislators — who wanted Amarinder Singh to be replaced, had come to meet him.

    The state is witnessing infighting between Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.

    Pargat Singh, who is considered close to Sidhu, said Rawat’s announcement had a “big impact” on the voters of Punjab.

    Interacting with reporters in Jalandhar on Sunday, Pargat Singh, who is a former Indian hockey captain, said the Kharge committee had said the Punjab elections would be contested under the leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi.

    “Harish Rawat ji who can tell about the decision of fighting the 2022 polls under the leadership of Amarinder Singh. Rawat ji is a very mature leader and had been chief minister of Uttarakhand. He should make his statement clear. You (reporters) may ask him when this decision was taken,” he said.

    The Congress had set up a three a three-member committee led by Rajya Sabha member Mallikarjun Kharge to resolve differences among party leaders in Punjab.

    To a question about Sidhu virtually daring the party leadership to allow him freedom in taking decisions else he will give a befitting reply, Pargat Singh said the media twisted his remarks.

    He added that Sidhu respects Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.

    Pargat Singh has been critical of Amarinder Singh over unfulfilled polls promises, including delay in delivery of justice in the desecration of a religious text and subsequent police firing, and scrapping of electricity purchase agreements with private power plants.

  • Punjab Congress row: There’s resentment in MLAs against CM Amarinder, says Pargat Singh

    By ANI

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Pargat Singh on Wednesday said there is resentment in MLAs against Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

    Briefing media persons, Singh said, “Due to the non-settlement of issues, there is resentment in MLAs. I suggest the Congress high command under the supervision of AICC observer, the chief minister should call a meeting of all MLAs and decide after discussing with them.”

    Asked about meeting the party high command in Delhi, the Congress MLA said, “Definitely, some people have gone to Delhi and I will also go there. There is no problem with it. We should not divert the issues. Captain Amarinder Singh is our chief minister and we do not disagree with it but work has to be done.”

    Meanwhile, AICC in-charge of Punjab Harish Rawat on Wednesday said that the party had an idea of turning up of possible issues after the organisation changes in the state unit. However, he said that Congress will look into the matter and find a solution.

    Speaking to ANI, Rawat said, “This thing happens in the party. When we brought in changes in the PCC, we had an idea about possible issues that may turn up. We will find a solution. Everyone trusts Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. But suddenly what has happened, why a large number of MLAs are disappointed. We will look into the matter and try to resolve it.”

    Rawat also held a meeting with a delegation of Punjab Congress leaders including ministers and MLAs is underway at his residence in Dehradun to discuss the alleged “incompetency” of Amarinder Singh in tackling various issues in Punjab.

    A section of Punjab Congress leaders expressed their resentment over Amarinder Singh to party high command. They demanded the removal of him as chief minister citing his working style is harming the party and the state. 

  • Appointment of general secretary latest friction point in Punjab Congress

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH:  Days after Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh complained to Sonia Gandhi on state Congress unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu’s continuing criticism of the government, Sidhu on Monday appointed a known Amarinder baiter, Pargat Singh, as party’s general secretary (organisation). The elevation of Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh, the former captain of the Indian Hockey team, had the blessings of the high command.

    Pargat’s appointment is set to further strain the already fraught relations between Sidhu and Singh, with observers saying this could give the opposition parties pushed to the periphery a toehold. A few days ago, Sidhu had appointed four advisers as a precursor to the selection of district unit presidents, office-bearers and district level coordinators. Singh had sought a say in these matters prior to Sidhu’s appointment, but to no avail.

    The elevation of Pargat coincided with the resignation of Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation chairman Jagbir Brar from Congress. He re-joined the Shiromani Akali Dal on Monday. Brar and Pargat were rivals; the latter had joined Congress on the condition that he would get the Jalandhar Cantonment ticket at the expense of Brar.

    Party insiders claimed the fight between rival power centres in Singh and Sidhu may worsen. “Sidhu’s elevation has weakened the authority of Singh and Sidhu is yet to establish his grip. A weak Amarinder is not in interest of the party. The high command has not read the situation correctly,” a senior leader said.Sidhu has already declared that he would introduce a resolution in the state Assembly to make the STF report on drugs public to give a push to the party’s 18-point agenda. 

  • Congress MLA Pargat Singh accuses Amarinder’s political advisor of threatening him

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Congress MLA Pargat Singh on Monday accused an aid of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh of threatening him for questioning the state government over the sacrilege row, a development which may deepen the crisis within the ruling party in the state.

    The MLA alleged that Sandeep Sandhu, political advisor to Amarinder Singh, threatened him by saying that “papers” have been collected against him and that he “will be set right”.

    The Jalandhar Cantonment legislator and other party leaders have been exerting pressure on the state government for early action against perpetrators of alleged desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and subsequent police firing incidents in 2015.

    “I got a call from Capt Sandeep Sandhu Thursday night and said he is to give CM sahib’s message to me. It was a threatening message. I asked him (not once but thrice) whether Captain Amarinder Singh has said this. He said Captain Amarinder Singh has said that they have collected many lists against me and ‘te tenu hun asi thokna hai’ (we will now set you right),” Pargat claimed.

    “Sandhu threatened me by saying papers have been collected against me,” he added.

    Pargat, who had remained captain of the Indian hockey team, said he was ready to face any “punishment” for speaking the truth and raising the issues of sacrilege and review of power purchase agreements.

    Sandhu, however, rejected the charges.

    Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa dubbed the alleged threat by Amarinder’s political advisor as “extremely distressing”.

    Though Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar described Pargat as the “role model of the youth”, he asserted that the Congress party never indulged in vendetta politics.

    Pargat also alleged that B I S Chahal, senior media advisor to the Punjab CM, was de facto DGP of Punjab Vigilance bureau.

    He also raised questions over reports of a vigilance probe being initiated against close aides of former minister Navjot Sidhu and his wife.

    Throwing his weight behind Pargat, Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa said attempts to browbeat party legislators for raising their voice must stop.

    “Pargat S being threatened by advisors of CM for doing his duty to the people & raising his voice is extremely distressing. I stand with him & his democratic right to speak about issues affecting Punjab. This continuous attempt to browbeat INC MLAs for raising their voice must stop,” he tweeted.

    “Would have been pleasing to the eyes & ears of Punjabis had the Vigilance knocked at the doors of Badal’s for their acts of omission & commission from 2007- 2017. Sudden spurt against @sherryontopp & colleagues is ill advised, ill timed & detrimental to interest of the Congress,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Jakhar trashed reports of vigilance probe against party leaders and asserted there was no truth in it.

    The main agenda of the party at present was to save the people from the COVID-19 surge and to punish the perpetrators of sacrilege incidents that happened in the previous government regime, he said in a statement.

    “Sports star and MLA Pargat Singh was the role model of the youth and no one doubted his image as an honest and upright man and the party respected all its MLAs,” he added.

  • After Sidhu, now Congress MLA Pargat Singh criticises Amarinder over 2015 Faridkot firing probe

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Congress MLA Pargat Singh on Wednesday questioned the working of his party government in Punjab and even suggested Amarinder Singh to conduct a survey to know about the latter’s performance as the chief minister of the state.

    Pargat also expressed his annoyance over the alleged delay in justice in the incidents of desecration of a religious text and subsequent police firing in Faridkot in 2015.

    He met Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who has been holding meetings with party legislators amid growing pressure within the party for taking the post-sacrilege police firing incidents to its logical conclusion.

    “The 2017 assembly election was won in the name of Captain Amarinder Singh. I told the CM sahib that ‘you should hold your own survey as CM’. We will come to exactly where we stand,” Pargat told reporters.

    He said people had voted for Amarinder in 2017 after seeing his performance from 2002 to 2007 as the chief minister of the state.

    “But he is not that Captain now,” he said.

    “Asked if delay in justice in the case will adversely impact the Congress’s chances in the 2022 assembly polls, Pargat said, “We have already suffered a blow. But we have to see how to come out of it.”

    The Punjab and Haryana High court had on April 9 quashed the Punjab police SIT probe report into Kotkapura police firing at people protesting against the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib in Faridkot in 2015.

    The state government has already announced to form a new team to probe the firing incident.

    To a question on Amarinder daring former minister Navjot Sidhu to contest from Patiala, Pargat said he does not expect a leader like Amarinder to say this.

    “Such things should not be said. The CM is a fatherly figure of a state,” he said.

    On Tuesday, Amarinder had challenged Sidhu to contest against him from Patiala seat and said the latter would lose his security deposit like the way former Army chief J J Singh did.

    Congress legislator Navjot Sidhu has been attacking his own party-led government and the CM over the alleged delay in justice in the incidents of desecration and the subsequent police firing incident.