Shahkot bypoll: Jakhar says ‘sting video’ no proof against Ladi

Coming to the defence of Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia, Congress candidate for the Shahkot assembly bypoll of May 28, the party’s Punjab unit president, Sunil Jakhar, on Monday said that the purported “sting” video, or other allegations, on illegal sand mining against him were “not substantial proof”.

“How could we change the candidate?” Jakhar said rhetorically at a press conference here. “Ladi got 42,000 votes in the assembly polls. There are only allegations that are raised on a person who has worked at the grassroots.” He termed the FIR against Ladi “mockery of the law”.

Lashing out at former deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, Jakhar cited that during the civic body elections, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by him blocked the Beas bridge alleging that FIRs registered against SAD workers were false: “If FIR was good enough to arrest any person, then why had they blocked the bridge?”

On other aspirants from the Shahkot ticket — five of them have gone against Ladi and passed a resolution to urge the party high command for a “non-controversial” candidate — Jakhar said Ladi has explained himself. “Congress is united and will fight Shahkot bypoll unitedly. We will win.”

In other issues, on Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s concern over the Ravi river’s water flowing to Pakistan, Jakhar said Khattar must tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Punjab is not financially strong to give 40% share to construct Shahpur Kandi Dam to stop the flow to Pakistan. “The PM during his rally in Punjab agreed to construct the dam on 90:10 ratio funding, and Punjab could afford 10% share. But now they are asking Punjab to give 40%, which is not feasible as BJP’s alliance government with the SAD emptied the state’s exchequer.”

On the issue of alleged expunging of chapters on Sikh history from a Class-12 book, Jakhar said he would ask CM Captain Amarinder Singh “to add one more chapter on Bargari and other sacrilege cases that took place during the SAD government”.

On procurement, he said the government agencies have so far procured 1.22 lakh tonnes of wheat which is higher by 10 lakhs tonnes than the last season’s during the same period. “Of total procured wheat, 84% has already been lifted while payments of ₹17,400 crores have been made. Only ₹900 crore of payment is pending, which will be disbursed soon,” he said.