The Punjab Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution on speeding up the process of conducting elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The House also authorised Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to raise the issue with the Central government.
Capt. Amarinder said it was the democratic right of every Punjabi to vote in the SGPC elections which cannot be denied by Union government, while responding to the issue that was raised by MLA H.S. Phoolka.
Akali, BJP protest
Amid protests by Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP members, the House authorised the Chief Minister to raise the issue with the Central government.
Capt. Amarinder said since the Gurdwara Act was a national legislation, it was the duty of the Central government to hold timely elections to the SGPC. The Chief Minister sought the permission of the Speaker, on behalf of State government, to adopt the resolution moved by the AAP MLA.
The Speaker put the resolution to vote, as a result of which the House authorised the Chief Minister to raise the issue with the Union g overnment immediately.
Later, Capt. Amarinder told journalists that there was a broad consensus in the House over the issue. “Only the Akalis and the BJP were not in favour,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition Harpal Cheema said that the "Badals'' stood exposed on the issue as they (Akali Dal) neither supported or rejected the motion.
The SAD asked Mr. Phoolka to clarify whether he had resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party or not. “Mr . Phoolka should disclose whether it was ethical and moral on his part to attend the Vidhan Sabha after resigning from AAP as well as the Assembly,” said SAD MLA Bikram Singh Majithia. While Mr. Phoolka has left AAP, his resignation as an MLA is still pending with the Speaker.
Later, Speaker Rana K.P. Singh informed the House that till any decision is taken on the resignation, Mr. Phoolka will be the member of the House.
