Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 19 (ANI): Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira issued a clarification over his 'controversial remarks' regarding people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh taking away the jobs of locals in the state of Punjab.
A video of Khaira went viral, where he could be purportedly heard saying that the people of UP and Bihar are "capturing Punjab" and that they "need to be stopped."
Khaira "outrightly rejected" the media reports, quoting his statement and terming them "malicious propaganda" who are putting words into his mouth.
The Congress candidate said that he was only citing the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy Act 1972, which bars people outside the state from purchasing agricultural land or becoming voters in the state.
Taking to social media platform X, Khaira said, "I outrightly reject malicious propaganda by selective national media who're putting words into my mouth that I've not uttered at all. I am propagating a law like HP, Gujarat and Uttarakhand that disallows non-citizens of these states to buy agricultural land, become voters and apply for govt jobs without clearing conditions imposed by these governments. I never used the words that Up & Bihar people are capturing Punjab or we will throw them out."
Khaira added that he submitted a private member bill to the Punjab assembly speaker for a system on par with Himachal Pradesh, but there has been no development.
He further said that "all non-Punjabis" are welcome to work in Punjab but will have to be clear of "certain conditions."
"All non-Punjabi's are welcome to work in Punjab earn their livelihood but will have to clear certain conditions imposed by above mentioned govts. I can quote Himachal Pradesh Tenancy Act 1972 that bars non Himachali's from buying agricultural land or becoming voters of HP or acquiring govt jobs without fulfilling conditions," the Congress leader said.
"I have also submitted a Private Member Bill to this effect before @SandhwanSpeaker Vidhan Sabha since January 2023 but to no avail. Therefore i debunk maliciously false propaganda unleashed against me by a section of media to tarnish my image-Khaira," he added.
Earlier, the reports on Khaira's remarks sparked controversy with Bharatiya Janata Party coming out heavily against the Congress leader.
Bharatiya Janata Party's Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar condemend the 'controversial' remarks and said such remarks can adversely impact the whole state.
He also cited the remarks of former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi that "Bhaiyya of UP and Bihar" are coming to Punjab.
"The 6-month 'accidental Chief Minister' (Charanjit Singh Channi) said in the presence of Priyanka Gandhi that 'Bhaiya' of UP and Bihar are coming here (Punjab). She (Priyanka Gandhi) was clapping right next to him," Jakhar told reporters.
"When it is the paddy season, half of Punjab stands at the railway stations waiting for trains from there so that those people can work in the fields...You can speak of Punjabi rights but why do you have to speak ill for others? Khaira Sahab is a responsible person and he should look after Barnala first...His statement can affect the whole of Punjab...This should be stopped," he added.
Sukhpal Singh Khaira is the Congress candidate from the seat of Sangrur, a constituency Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann won twice. However, AAP lost the seat in the by-elections on the seat in 2022.
The voting in 13 seats of Punjab will be held in the seventh and last phase on June 1. The counting of votes in scheduled on June 4.
In 2019, Congress won the maximum of eight seats, while BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won two seats each. AAP could only win the lone seat of Sangrur. (ANI)
