BHOLATH: Former Congress MLA from Bholath, Sukhpal Singh Khaira said Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal should be dismissed from the council of ministers for violating Article 246 of the Indian Constitution, during his Pakistan visit.
He further said by making unilateral policy announcements from foreign shores and getting the said MOU signed in his presence, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has blatantly violated the Seventh Schedule (Article 246) List I-Union list, Entry 10-foreign Affairs; all matters which bring Union into relation with any foreign country. Entry 14 – Entering into treaties and agreements with foreign countries and implementing of treaties, agreements and conventions with foreign countries.
Khaira further said the deputy CM also violated the oath of office taken by him under the Constitution, demanding his dismissal from the council of ministers and hence he must be dismissed from the Council of Ministers, in case he refuses to do so, Article 356 of the constitution should be invoked against the state government.
The Congress leader further said the initiative taken by Sukhbir Badal was no doubt laudable but there are constitutional impediments which prevent the political leaders from signing such MoUs.
“As we are aware, the Deputy Chief Minister has made three important policy announcements during his five day visit to Pakistan, firstly he spoke about setting up textile hubs between the two countries (read Punjab’s), then he spoke about exporting power to Pakistan by 2013, once our Punjab has surplus power, thirdly he announced his proposal to set up joint industrial zones at par with local industry. That on November 6, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Punjab Chapter of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the aim of the strengthening trade and commerce ties between India and Pakistan, in the presence of Sukhbir Singh Badal at Lahore,” Khaira said.
Khaira said one can visit Pakistan and make justified long pending demands such as more liberal visa policy for the Sikhs to visit Nankana Sahib and other gurdwaras, a special corridor for Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, handing over control of Gurudwara’s to the SGPC, release of Sarabjit Singh and other Indian prisoners lodged in Pakistan jails and opening of Atari and Hussainiwala Borders and Congress as the principle opposition party supports these justified long pending issues of the Sikhs and the Punjabis.
Khaira termed Sukhbir’s visit as a mock public relation exercise aimed to enhance the political image of the Deputy Chief Minister.
“If the Deputy CM was serious enough to make certain meaningful achievements between the two Punjab’s, he should have quietly brought these proposals before the Government of India to be taken up by India in its bilateral agenda with Pakistan,” he added.
