JOIN USDrug racket row: Ex-Punjab CM admits writing to Sonia
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday said he had written a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi but declined to disclose its content, raising speculations whether he mentioned the state party chief’s alleged involvement in drug rackets.
Responding to reports in a section of the media that he complained against Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa’s links with drug rackets and terror modules, Singh said, “Yes, I have written a letter to Congress head Sonia Gandhi some 18 months ago, which is July 2012. I will not discuss the letter as it is confidential in nature.”
“I don’t know how this letter came to a few newspapers,” Singh told reporters here.
He said the ongoing probe into the multi-crore drug scam in Punjab should not be transferred to the CBI. “If the case is handed over to the CBI it will delay investigation,” he said.
Singh said he did not want Bajwa to be replaced as the state unit chief. “It’s a decision that has to be taken by Sonia Gandhi,” he said.
On the issue of adopting a different line from the state party unit that had been demanding a CBI probe into the drug case, the former chief minister said, “The state Congress’ decision is as per party’s policies.”
He said he can have “personal views”. “Whatever the state unit wants to do it can do, but I am opposed to the CBI probe into the drug case,” Singh said. About the state unit’s announcement of a series of programmes in the wake of accusation levelled by a drug smuggler that Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia is involved in the trade, Singh said, “I will participate in the agitation announced by the state unit.”
Bajwa declined to comment on the letter written by Singh.
The former chief minister said, “The drug case should not be limited to one person. Drug menace is spread across Punjab. Drug money is involved in politics. The present investigation into the case that will be over in three to four months will be a big effort to break the nexus.”Singh said if Majithia or anybody, irrespective of their political affiliations, is found involved in the case they should be given exemplary punishment.
Singh also defended Patiala SSP H S Mann, who is heading the probe in the drug case. “Mann is a very upright officer,” he said.
On whether he reached an understanding with the Akalis, Amarinder said he “fought against the Akalis for 16 long years as state Congress president and chief minister on what ground I will compromise.”
He rejected the contention that he was being ignored by the party high command. “I have full faith in the Congress President and Vice President,” he said.