Congress MLA Accuses AAP of Misusing Official Ministerial Residence in Chandigarh
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Synopsis
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has accused the AAP of misusing a ministerial residence in Chandigarh for political activities. He has called for action from the Election Commission and the Central government, citing violations of established regulations and the Model Code of Conduct.
Key Takeaways
- Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleges misuse of ministerial accommodation.
- Official residence in Sector 39 used for AAP activities.
- Khaira calls for Election Commission action.
- Property valued at Rs 3.82 crore attached by ED.
- Claims of political witch hunt by BJP and AAP.
Chandigarh, March 16 (NationPress) The Congress MLA and former AAP member Sukhpal Singh Khaira has called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Central government to acknowledge the severe abuse of official accommodation in Chandigarh, designated for Punjab ministers, which is allegedly being utilized as an Aam Aadmi Party office for political purposes.
He claimed that a ministerial residence in Sector 39 is currently being repurposed for AAP's activities.
"I urge the @ECISVEEP of India and the @BJP4India government to recognize the serious misuse of official accommodation at #965 Sector 39 Chandigarh, which is intended for Punjab Government ministers but is being used as an @AamAadmiParty office for political activities assigned to them by the @BhagwantMann administration!"
“This situation not only contravenes the rules and regulations outlined by the constitution but also breaches the Model Code of Conduct set forth by the Election Commission of India,” he posted on the microblogging platform X.
In support of his assertions, he provided evidence of an AAP circular dated March 14, issued from the "965 Circuit House, Sector 39 A, Chandigarh."
Khaira emphasized that the Election Commission must take serious action regarding this violation, especially considering that his property in Chandigarh, valued at Rs 3.82 crore, was recently attached by the Enforcement Directorate as part of an investigation into a drug trafficking-related money laundering case.
"The ED has provisionally attached proceeds of crime (POC) amounting to Rs 3.82 crore in the form of a residential property (House No 6, Sector 5, Chandigarh) linked to Sukhpal Singh Khaira under the PMLA-2002. This order was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on March 8," stated the ED on March 11.
In response to the property seizure, Khaira expressed on X, "I have learned through the media that the ED has attached my residence in Chandigarh. I wish to clarify that I have received no notification regarding this from the ED or any other government entity.
"This is nothing more than a blatant act of character assassination and a political witch hunt orchestrated by the BJP and the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government," he asserted.
Khaira was previously arrested by the ED as part of an investigation in November 2021 and was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 27, 2022.
