Chandigarh, May 18, 2019: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh should dare dismiss his cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu or should quit himself immediately as he has failed to tame Sidhu who has struck a discordant note openly on the policies and functioning of the Punjab government.
Stating this today in a press note released from party headquarters here today, former Punjab minister and senior Shiormani Akal Dal(SAD)leader Bikram Singh Majithia said that in parliamentary democracy, the entire council of ministers should own it and speak in one voice and those not inclined to support government line should be given marching orders at first instance itself.
Sidhu is not only a dissenter but he has openly revolted against his own chief minister by stating that SAD and Congress are playing a friendly match in the ratio of 75 and 25 is going on between them evidently suggesting that the Akalis and Congress under Amarinder Singh have developed a tacit understanding.
Equally startling is the allegation of Sidhu that Amarinder Singh is soft on cable and sand mafia, imputing serious charges of corruption on his own leader. No self respecting chief minister would tolerate such a rebellious minister in his cabinet. Siddhu revealed in a press conference that his report is gathering dust in CM’s office and his queries on cable operators are stonewalled as CM is to protect some vested interests.
Majithia said the ministers have a right to have a different view point and can legitimately be articulated at the cabinet meetings. However, once the decision is arrived at, the council of ministers have to support it will-nilly to the hilt.
But Sidhu has not only raised his dissenting voice against the functioning of the government but even cast direct aspersions on the chief minister which attracts immediate dismissal and if the chief minister can’t take a stringent action against recalcitrant minister, he himself should opt out, stated Majithia invoking the basic tenant of democracy that the entire council of ministers should “ swim and sink together” and the dissenters should be shown the door.
However, Sidhu continues to take liberties with the CM as he has developed close rapport with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka and thinks that Amarinder Singh can’t touch him.