Targeted for raising voice of people,allege suspended SAD MLAs

Chandigarh:) A day after they were suspended for alleged anti-party activities, SAD MLAs Pargat Singh and Inderbir Singh Bolaria on Wednesday claimed they had been targeted by the party for raising the voice of people, but refused to clear the air on joining Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal had on Tuesday suspended Jalandhar Cantt MLA and former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh as well as Amritsar (South) legislator Inderbir Singh Bolaria for alleged anti-party activities, saying indiscipline will not be tolerated at any cost.

"If speaking truth in democracy and raising voice of people in my constituency is anti-party activity then I am committed to it and I will accept it," Pargat on Wednesday said while reacting to his suspension from the party.

"Instead of suspension, I was awaiting expulsion by the party for raising issues of people in my constituency," Bolaria said.

Both MLAs had objected to setting up of solid waste management plants in their respective constituencies and claimed their pleas to the top leadership of SAD on shelving the projects had gone unheard.

"The solid waste management plant which was proposed in my constituency was logically, legally, technically and environmentally not right and people of my area were against it," said Pargat.

"There was no response from the party leadership on this issue during the last 3-and-a-half years. Though the plant has not come up so far, all the required approvals have been given," the Olympian claimed.

Echoing similar views, Bolaria said, "The solid waste management plant was to come up in the area which was surrounded by population of over one lakh. I was raising the voice of people and had demanded that the plant should be set up outside the city so that people should not suffer."

After their suspension, speculation was rife that the MLAs may join AAP. But both the leaders refused to reveal their cards.

"I will talk (on AAP) when appropriate time comes. Let the time come. In due course of time, I will reveal each and every thing," said Pargat when asked about the possibility of joining AAP.

Bolaria said, "I have not yet decided in this regard."

Both MLAs were once considered close to Sukhbir Singh Badal.

After falling out with the SAD President, Pargat had even refused to take oath as Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) in April this year.

After raising banner of revolt, Bolaria was stripped of CPS status.