The MLAs of Aam Aadmi Party and Lok Insaaf Party were today arrested at Vidhan Sabha gate and prevented from meeting Chief Minister, Captain Amrinder Singh when they were peacefully marching towards the CM residence to give memorandum in to remove Rana Gurjit from Punjab Cabinet.Aam Aadmi Party MLAs under the leadership of the leader of opposition, H.S. Phoolka, Party president and MP Sangrur, Bhagwant Mann, Senior leader and MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Party Co-President Aman Arora raised slogan against Cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh for his illegal involvement in the allocation of sand mines to his cook and other employees. After the arrest, MLAs were taken to sector 17 police station where they were detained for hours before the release. AAP MLAs denied giving their memorandum to the representative sent by the chief minister saying that if the CM himself has no time to meet the elected representatives then there is no need to do just the ritual.Addressing the media, Phoolka said that there is an emergency like situation in Punjab and even the Leader of Opposition and elected representatives are not allowed to meet the CM and were arrested from Vidhan Sabha for raising the voice of the people of state. He said that there are clear evidences that Rana Gurjit Singh is directly involved in the sand mining but Captain Amrinder is shying away from taking action against him. “The silence of Amrinder indicates if along with Rana he himself has stakes in the contracts of sand mines.” Phoolka said.
He said that the party will continue fight for resignation of Rana to ensure independent inquiry in the matter and AAP& LIP MLAs will not bow down.AAP state president and MP Sangrur Bhagwant Mann said that earlier Akalis were known for their illegal trades of sand, land, transport etc but now Congress leaders are surpassing them in the illegal business. Captain Amrinder Singh who used to talk about sending Badals and their allies to jails for their illegal trade is now seems helpless in taking action against his own minister. Mann said that Captain used to accuse Badals of high headiness but after attaining power has started walking on their footprints. “If Captain knows the formula of making crores of rupees in the job of a cook then he must tell it the youth of Punjab so that the unemployed youth can earn their livelihood by learning the trick.” Mann said.Sukhpal Khaira said that the judicial commission of Retd. Justice Narang appointed in the case is of no use as Justice Narang has personal terms with Rana Gurjit Singh family.
He said that it is on record that son of Justice Narang was hired by the family of Rana Gurjit Singh to fight case in Punjab and Haryana High Court. “Can anyone who has close ties with the minister take action against him in the case? If Captain really wants to inquire the matter then he must appoint any sitting judge to investigate the case.” Khaira said. He said that AAP stick to its demand of resignation of Minister who gave Rs. 26cr mining contract to his cook. The Income tax returns of cook shows annual income of 92000 then what was the source of the deposited 13cr rupees. “I fail to understand why Amrinder is shying away to take action against Rana Gurjit in ‘Benami’ mining scandal despite proofs?”Aman Arora the struggle will go on and AAP will not let ministers and Congress leaders to loot the natural resources of state. He said that if still no action will be taken against the minister then demonstrations will be held throughout the state.AAP leaders will meet the officials of Enforce Directorate, Income Tax to take action against the cook of minister for using black money to fetch the contracts of sand mines. AAP delegation will also meet the Governor in the regard in coming days.