Chandigarh, March 11 (Punjab Khabarnama): Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Partap Singh Bajwa, urged the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government to address the deteriorating law and order situation in the state before Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s meeting with Punjab entrepreneurs.
Bajwa expressed deep concern over the rising extortion calls from gangsters, prompting established business families to migrate to other states like UP and Gujarat. He emphasized the need for the government to prioritize tackling such criminal elements.
Highlighting recent policy decisions, Bajwa criticized the imposition of a 0.25% stamp duty on loans for vehicles and property. He argued that such measures would adversely affect industrialists and individuals planning to build homes, especially amid escalating inflation.
The LoP also criticized the AAP government’s handling of the Behbal Kalan firing incident, where two Sikh youths lost their lives. Bajwa pointed out the failure to deliver justice and cited AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh’s condemnation of the government’s response.
Bajwa took the opportunity to remind Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan of his promise, made in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib, to bring justice to the Behbal Kalan incident.
Additionally, Bajwa criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for not apologizing for derogatory remarks against Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli. The MLA had raised concerns about the appointment of the Deputy CM from the Dalit community, emphasizing the need for a respectful discourse on critical issues.
These concerns come ahead of Arvind Kejriwal’s meeting with entrepreneurs, adding urgency to address the underlying challenges faced by the state.