Congress MLA Khaira Slams Punjab CM's Zero Tolerance Claim as Sham
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, labeling his much-publicized claim of zero tolerance against corruption as a complete sham and eyewash. The accusation came during a press conference in Jalandhar, where Khaira highlighted a specific case of alleged inaction by the state government.
Unaddressed Corruption Complaint Raises Questions
Khaira revealed that a serious complaint of corruption against Nadala block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) Kulwinder Randhawa was formally submitted to the vigilance bureau (VB) chief director on March 4 last. The complaint pertains to Randhawa's tenure as BDPO Dhilwan in 2022. According to the Congress leader, no action has been initiated to date, which he says raises serious questions about the government's intent and commitment to anti-corruption measures.
Officer's History of Suspensions and Arrests
The Congress MLA provided a detailed background of the officer in question, stating that BDPO Kulwinder Randhawa was previously suspended twice and even arrested by the vigilance bureau during his postings as BDPO Amloh and Khanna. Khaira emphasized that this pattern of alleged misconduct makes the current lack of action even more concerning.
AAP MLAs Previously Exposed Corruption Cases
In a surprising twist, Khaira noted that it was AAP MLAs themselves who had previously exposed corruption involving the same officer. He specified that AAP MLA from Amloh Garry Warring got Randhawa suspended and arrested in 2024 in a Rs 40 lakh corruption scam. Similarly, AAP MLA from Khanna Taranpreet Singh Sond exposed another Rs 60 lakh scam involving the same officer in 2023 and ensured his suspension at that time.
Allegation of Reinstatement by Minister
Khaira made a further serious allegation, claiming that after becoming minister for rural development and panchayats in 2025, Taranpreet Singh Sond facilitated Randhawa's reinstatement. This allegation, if true, would represent a significant contradiction to the government's stated anti-corruption stance.
Direct Challenge to Chief Minister
Concluding his remarks, Khaira posed a direct question to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann: Is this the 'zero tolerance' that Bhagwant Mann keeps preaching? The Congress leader's statements represent a significant political challenge to the AAP government's credibility on corruption issues, particularly given the detailed timeline and specific allegations presented.
The case now puts pressure on the Punjab government to either take action on the pending complaint or provide a credible explanation for the delay, as political observers watch how this develops in the coming weeks.
