On Thursday, Punjab police detained Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in connection with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In an early morning operation, a team from the Punjab Police conducted a raid at Khaira’s residence in Jalalabad, Fazilka, relating to an old NDPS Act case registered in 2015.
During the raid, Khaira was hosting a Facebook Live session in which he could be seen engaged in a heated argument with the police personnel. In the video, a police official informed Khaira about the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate an old drug smuggling case. Khaira also raised slogans of “Punjab Sarkar murdabad” (down with the Punjab government) as the police detained him.
Sukhpal Khaira, who represents the Bholath constituency in Kapurthala, Punjab, and serves as the Chairman of All India Kisan Congress, faced strong criticism from Partap Singh Bajwa, the leader of the Congress party in the Punjab assembly. Bajwa questioned Khaira’s detention, alleging that the AAP-led government in Punjab was resorting to vindictive politics.
Bajwa expressed his disapproval of the situation in a social media post, stating, “The arrest of Senior Congress Leader and Bholath MLA @SukhpalKhaira is extremely deplorable. The @AAPPunjab govt has stooped to an all-time low and resorted to vendetta politics. Sukhpal Singh Khaira has been outspoken and raised his voice against the wrongdoings and irregularities committed by the CM @BhagwantMann’s govt. The Punjab Congress under the ambit of law will leave no stone unturned to get him released.”
In a surprising show of support, the Shiromani Akali Dal, a political rival of the Congress in the state, criticized the Punjab government’s actions as well. In a social media post, the Akali Dal condemned Khaira’s arrest as a result of a “witch hunt” and “political vendetta” against the respected Bholath MLA.
Khaira’s arrest is expected to further strain the already fragile relations between the AAP and the Congress, both of which had recently formed the INDIA alliance at the national level. The state unit of the Congress has staunchly opposed any collaboration or seat-sharing arrangement with the AAP in Punjab.
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