Punjab Opposition Leader Criticizes AAP Government for Undermining Democratic Institutions
Bajwa accuses AAP govt of ‘destroying democratic safeguards’
Image: The Times Of India
Partap Singh Bajwa, the opposition leader in Punjab's Vidhan Sabha, has accused the AAP government of undermining democratic safeguards by appointing ruling party MLAs to key House committees, particularly criticizing the reappointment of an AAP member as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, which traditionally should be led by an opposition member.
- 01Partap Singh Bajwa claims the AAP government's actions represent a systematic destruction of democratic safeguards.
- 02The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is traditionally chaired by an opposition member to ensure independent oversight.
- 03Bajwa highlighted the arbitrary appointment of AAP MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar as PAC chairman, which he views as unconstitutional.
- 04He emphasized that the repeated denial of PAC chairmanship to opposition members weakens the checks and balances in the Indian Constitution.
- 05Bajwa criticized the assembly speaker, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, for acting as an extension of the ruling party rather than maintaining neutrality.
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Partap Singh Bajwa, the leader of the opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, has voiced strong criticism against the AAP government and assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan for allegedly dismantling democratic safeguards. He condemned the appointment of AAP MLAs to key House committees, specifically calling out the reappointment of an AAP member as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for the second consecutive year. Bajwa stated that this practice is an unprecedented attack on the accountability framework of parliamentary democracy, as the PAC is meant to be led by an opposition member to ensure impartial oversight of government expenditures. He accused the AAP government of turning accountability institutions into political tools, undermining the integrity of democratic norms. Bajwa also expressed concern that the speaker, expected to uphold neutrality, has instead acted in favor of the ruling party, thus eroding the system of checks and balances established in the Indian Constitution. He emphasized the need for independent scrutiny of the government to safeguard democratic principles.
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Bajwa's accusations highlight concerns over the erosion of democratic practices in Punjab's governance.
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