AAP baffled after knowing Punjab voter turnout trends for Lok Sabha; accepts Angural’s resignation with procedural lapses: BJP
Vidhan Sabha Speaker and AAP leader Kultar Sandhwan accepts MLA’s resignation without in-person hearing: Vineet Joshi
Sandhwan ignores laid norms and rules for MLA’s resignation: Vineet Joshi
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 3, 2024:
“The way Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker and AAP leader Kultar Singh Sandhwan accepted the resignation of Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural, after ignoring the laid norms and rules, clearly shows that the AAP had got baffled after knowing the voter turnout trends for Punjab in Lok Sabha polls on June 1,” said BJP Punjab’s State Media Head Vineet Joshi, while criticizing the procedural lapses and irregularities during a press conference on Monday.
Angural, who is the Jalandhar West MLA, had tendered his resignation on March 28, a day before joining the BJP along with Sushil Rinku, another former AAP member. Initially, Sandhwan did not accept Angural's resignation, refusing to meet him in person. However, on May 9, Sandhwan wrote a letter to Angural, summoning him for an in-person hearing on June 3.
Joshi elaborated on the issue, stating, “When Angural wrote to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker on May 30, urging to withdraw his resignation, Sandhwan claimed that the resignation had been accepted on May 30, and a notification was issued on May 31. This acceptance came despite the scheduled in-person hearing on June 3, which was postponed to June 11 at the last moment due to the unavailability of the speaker.”
“The norms and rules clearly state that any MLA who tenders their resignation must appear before the speaker in person to confirm that the resignation is voluntary and free from political pressure. In this case, if the speaker's office stated that he was unavailable for a meeting before June 11, how could he accept the resignation and issue a backdated letter?” Joshi questioned.
Joshi further criticized the AAP, asserting that the acceptance of Angural’s resignation in such a manner indicates AAP's acceptance of defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. He highlighted the strong presence of BJP camps and booths across Punjab on the polling day, even in rural areas, suggesting widespread support for the party.
“On June 1, BJP's booths and camps were set up across Punjab, even in rural areas, showing that the people and farmers of Punjab are supporting us. In contrast, there were no booths or camps for the SAD in the villages. Bhagwant Mann's claim that AAP will win all 13 seats in Punjab will prove true only for other parties, as AAP is likely to win zero seats,” Joshi added.