‘Kabza’ on State ---Khaira takes Dy CM to task

‘Kabza’ on State
Khaira takes Dy CM to task
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 12
The recent statement of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, in which he claimed that the SAD-BJP combine would not leave ‘kabza’ over Punjab for the next 25 years, gave yet another godsend to his rival Congress men to take him to task.
Taking cognisance of the word ‘kabza’, Congress MLA from Bholath Sukhpal Singh Khaira today lambasted Sukhbir over it.
“The word ‘kabza’ used by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal at a public meeting in Bathinda, while inaugurating a railway over bridge on Tuesday, reflected his feudal and autocratic mindset,” alleged Khaira.
Speaking in his individual capacity as well as on behalf of his party, Khaira said, “We demand the immediate resignation of the Deputy CM for making such an undemocratic and unconstitutional statement.
At the same time, we urge Sukhbir to tender an unconditional apology to the people of Punjab for hurting their sentiments.
“The Congress urges the Governor of Punjab to dismiss him from the Cabinet for violating the oath of Constitution taken by him. His utterance exposed beyond doubt that he had scant regard for democratic and constitutional functioning,” said Khaira.
He further said, “In order to fulfil his nefarious design to remain in unauthorised possession (kabza) of Punjab, the junior Badal has already taken control of all important trades like transport, cable network, sand quarrying and bulk liquor. Now, throwing all constitutional norms to winds, he is planning to remain in ‘kabza’ of Punjab with the help of the ill-gotten wealth, which we will not allow.”
On the other hand, media adviser to Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Bains said, “Congress men are just trying to gain publicity through misinterpreting the word ‘kabza’, which was said in a sense of seva (service). Actually, observing the public response, Sukhbir wanted to convey that the Congress had lost all chances to come back to power for at least the next 25 years.”