Chandigarh 12 July (Harbans singh)
Today, Sukhwinder Kotli, the MLA from Adampur Constituency, encountered an unexpected and concerning situation at the Punjab Civil Secretariat. While traveling to the Secretariat for official work, he was abruptly stopped by police personnel who had shut the gates to the entrance. Upon inquiring, MLA Kotli was informed that the entrance had been closed because the Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, was present inside.
MLA Kotli questioned the police as to why a current MLA would be denied entry if he wished to meet the Chief Minister or any other official. The police responded that they were under strict orders to prevent anyone from passing through the gates during the Chief Minister’s presence.
Expressing his frustration, Kotli stated, “Why am I not allowed to go to the Secretariat? Even if I want to meet an officer, any minister, or the CM for that matter, being an MLA, I should be allowed to do so and I should not be stopped from visiting the Secretariat.”
When Kotli requested to speak with a senior police officer or any senior official responsible for the orders, he was met with vague responses. The police continued to claim that their instructions were from higher authorities, without providing specific details or contacts.
Sukhwinder Kotli further remarked, “Bhagwant Mann is forgetting who he really is. The CM of Punjab, representing a political party claiming to be ‘Aam,’ is working completely against what the party claims to be their ideals and partaking in the VIP culture by not allowing entry into the Secretariat even for sitting MLAs due to him being present there.”
He added, “The power of being the CM has gone to the head of Bhagwant Mann, making him adamant to misuse his authority to suppress opposition leaders and politicians. It is a shame that power is being blatantly misused by the Punjab CM, Bhagwant Mann, who needs to remember that he is the servant of the people of Punjab and must act in their interests rather than his own personal interests.”
This incident raises serious concerns about the current administration’s commitment to democratic principles and the fair treatment of elected representatives. The actions witnessed today reflect a troubling trend towards the concentration of power and the marginalization of opposition voices. It is imperative that the rights and privileges of all MLAs are respected to ensure a healthy and functioning democracy in Punjab.
