Tarun Chugh, the National Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party has urged Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to ask chief parliamentary secretary Avinash Chander to resign from his post since his name has cropped up in the infamous case related to dismissed Punjab Police DSP and druglord Jagdish Bhola.
Chugh said that BJP was committed in its fight against drugs in Punjab and as such feels that Avinash Chander should have resigned on his own by now. If he comes clean after the probe, he can again join the government as a CPS.
The continuation of Avinash Chander, as a CPS in the SAD-BJP government is definitely having an impact on the image of the alliance government and raises doubts about the government’s intention to act.
When the ED has summoned the CPS, it can be easily construed that the ED sleuths might have some basic evidence against him. It does not bestow a CPS to appear before the ED time and again for his links with people involved in drug trade especially when the government claims to be fighting a war against drugs.
The BJP has been consistent in its stand against the trade of drugs in Punjab as the party believes that the supply and sale of drugs in the state has dealt a severe blow not only to the youth involved and their families, but also to the economic and culture of the state. The state is getting a bad name in rest of India and across the world.
It would do no harm to the alliance if Avinash Chander is asked to go. Rather, it would strengthen people’s belief and confidence in the government as it would send a strong message that the government has will to act against anybody, whosoever he or she may be.
There is no doubt that the state government has fought a war against drugs at all levels and hundreds of people involved in the drug trade have been arrested. The police have made huge seizures. Under such circumstances, if the CM asks Avinash Chander to quit, that would add to the credit of the government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a clear indication that high moral standards should be maintained by the elected representatives and people sitting on constitutional posts. As such Avinash Chander needs to be asked to put in his papers.
BJP had hailed the stand of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal when he had asked Punjab cabinet minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur to quit when the name of his son Damanvir Singh Phillaur had cropped up in the same case.