Khaira alleges ‘political vendetta’ as land demarcation move stalls

Jalandhar: Amid the bitter political battle between Bholath Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and the AAP govt during the ongoing assembly session, in which 2 resolutions were passed against him, Khaira on Saturday morning alleged that, under pressure from Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, the Kapurthala deputy commissioner ordered fresh demarcation of his village Ramgarh land at 9 am on Saturday, "without any notice to the Panchayat or the farmers concerned". Khaira also provided the order of demarcation issued by the Bholath Tehsildar, which mentioned "oral orders" by the DC in this regard."The rule says demarcation cannot be conducted when there is a standing crop, like the wheat crop in the fields, and cannot be conducted on a holiday either," he said. "Basically, they want to create or show some sort of illegal possession against me so that the CM can defame me in the Vidhan Sabha on March 16, the last day," he alleged. Earlier, the ruling party passed a resolution in the assembly against Khaira, and then another to refer a breach of privilege case against him to the House privileges committee.However, later Khaira, the village Ramgarh panchayat, and others gathered, but officials did not turn up for the demarcation. Later in the day, Khaira held a press conference at Jalandhar. He provided the media with a copy of a complaint sent to the Vigilance Bureau chief director and SSP, and the rural development and panchayats department secretary and director, against Nadala BDPO Kulwinder Randhawa, regarding the transfer of funds in 2022, when he was BDPO Dhilwan.He said the BDPO was earlier suspended and arrested by VB Patiala in 2024 for corruption of Rs 40.85 lakh, following allegations by AAP MLA Tarunpreet Sondh. He also said the BDPO was earlier placed under suspension in a case involving funds worth Rs 60 lakh as BDPO Khanna, following a complaint by AAP MLA Taranprit Saundh. He said Sondh, after becoming rural development minister, reinstated the BDPO. Khaira said it was shocking that VB did not take cognisance of the specific complaint. MSID:: 129576760 413 |