Under suspension for “gross indiscipline”, Congress MLA Kulbir Singh Zira on Friday reached out to the party leadership to give explanation for his outburst against the party’s government in the state during a public event.
Zira, along with the Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, reached Punjab Bhawan to have a meeting with the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar, and the state party affairs’ in-charge Asha Kumari.
After the meeting even though Randhawa and Zira ‘indicated’ that the suspension has been revoked as the leadership has asked his to continue his work for the party, Jakhar categorically denied any such move.
“No decision has been taken on Kulbir Zira, and at the same time his suspension continues,” Jakhar told The Pioneer.
Punjab Congress had on Wednesday suspended Zira from the party on the charge of gross indiscipline days after he raised a banner of revolt against his own government at a function to administer the oath to the newly-elected panchayat members.
The decision was taken after the party high command took a “very serious note” of the development.
Jakhar pointed that even if his allegations against the police regarding inaction against contractors selling illicit liquor were true, “Zira should have raise the issue within the party”.
Admitting the same, Zira during the meeting assured the leadership that he would not repeat anything like this in future.
Notably, the Congress party is facing criticism from within for putting under suspension its MLA for raising voice against own government contending that such a move may send wrong signals to the voters.
The party, switching into a damage control mode after several senior leaders backed Zira over his stand and criticised the party for taking the decision of suspending him in a haste, gave a patient hearing to Zira, and accepted his apology, though no decision regarding his suspension was taken as yet.
However, Zira will now participate in the MLAs pre-budget proposals meeting with the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday.
“Zira met us and submitted his apology. And the decision regarding his suspension will be taken according to the party’s Constitution,” said Asha Kumari.
After the meeting, Randhawa claimed that the matter has been resolved and now everything is same as before, he has been asked to work for the party.
On asking whether Zira’s suspension has been revoked, Randhawa replied, “What’s left when he was asked to work or the party.”
Zira said: “I have met Asha Kumari ji and now they will decide.”
