Bribery Allegations Rock AAP in Bathinda During Republic Day Celebrations
The Republic Day celebrations in Bathinda district took an unexpected political turn when open allegations of bribery surfaced between Maur AAP MLA Sukhbir Singh Misaerkhana and Nagar Council President Karnail Singh. The simmering discontent between the two leaders came to the fore during the official function, creating a major controversy in Punjab's political circles.
Explosive Allegations During National Day Function
During the Republic Day celebrations where Maur SDM unfurled the national flag, Nagar Council President Karnail Singh made shocking allegations against MLA Sukhbir Singh Misaerkhana. "I paid Rs 30 lakh to the MLA to get the post," Singh declared publicly, accusing the legislator of accepting money for appointing him as Nagar Council president.
The situation escalated over seating arrangements at the official function. According to sources, the controversy began when a volunteer of the MLA occupied the seat reserved for Karnail Singh. When Singh sat on a seat next to the MLA, party workers asked him to vacate it, resulting in a heated exchange that disrupted the celebrations.
MLA Denies Allegations as Politically Motivated
MLA Sukhbir Singh Misaerkhana strongly denied all allegations, calling them "false and politically motivated." In his defense, the legislator questioned why Karnail Singh remained silent for months if the bribery actually occurred.
"Karnail Singh is trying to defame me by levelling false allegations," said MLA Sukhbir Singh. "He is creating controversy ahead of municipal elections and deliberately disrupted the Republic Day function. He is trying to create a false narrative and push people towards other parties ahead of the polls."
Background of Political Rivalry in Maur
The political dynamics in Maur provide context to this explosive confrontation:
- Maur has 17 wards, with Congress winning 12 wards in the February 2021 elections
- Karnail Singh and his wife won as independent candidates in those elections
- When AAP formed the government in Punjab in 2022, Karnail Singh along with some other councillors joined AAP
- Karnail Singh was subsequently appointed as Nagar Council president
- The relationship between the MLA and council president deteriorated over time
Additional Allegations Beyond Bribery Claims
Karnail Singh leveled further serious charges against the MLA during his media interaction:
- The MLA allegedly stalled development works worth crores in Maur
- Specific mention of Rs 20 crore worth of projects cleared under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT-2) being delayed
- Allegations that the MLA fielded a candidate against Karnail Singh's daughter-in-law in a by-election
- Claims that people are suffering due to stalled development while drugs remain easily available
"People are made to suffer due to stalling of development works, while drugs are easily available here," Karnail Singh told mediapersons. "I request the chief minister to get the matter investigated about stalling of developmental projects."
Legal Complaint Filed with Enforcement Directorate
Adding legal dimensions to the controversy, Ludhiana-based Advocate Gaurav Arora has lodged a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate seeking investigations into the bribery allegations. The advocate emphasized that since the allegations involve a public representative and were made on a national day, they warrant investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Broader Context of Corruption Allegations Against AAP Leaders
This incident adds to a growing list of corruption allegations against AAP leaders in Punjab:
- Mansa MLA Vijay Singla faced allegations of taking commission from tenders in May 2022 when he served as state health minister, resulting in jail time
- Bathinda Rural AAP MLA Amit Rattan was arrested over charges of taking money from a sarpanch through a private personal assistant to release developmental grants
- Sangrur MLA faced accusations of demanding money for the presidentship of Bhawanigarh truck union
Opposition leaders have seized upon these incidents, raising questions about AAP's claims of being a party with zero tolerance for corruption. The timing of these allegations, coming ahead of municipal elections, adds significant political weight to the controversy.
The Bathinda bribery allegations represent more than just a local political dispute—they touch upon broader questions of political integrity, governance transparency, and the challenges facing new political formations as they establish themselves in power. As investigations potentially proceed and political reactions continue to unfold, this case may have significant implications for Punjab's political landscape in the coming months.
