Senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Saturday attacked Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi and the Congress, days after the recovery of a huge amount of cash from the premises of his nephew during ED raids. He also accused him of being involved in illegal sand mining in his constituency Chamkaur Sahib in Rupnagar district and demanded a CBI probe into it.

Taking on the Congress for filing a complaint with the Election Commission of India against the recent ED raids, Majithia asked the ruling party that it should have rather questioned the recovery of crores of rupees from the premises of Channi's nephew. ''Instead of complaining to the ECI over the misuse of central agencies, the Congress should have explained how a huge sum of money was seized from the premises of Channi's nephew,'' Majithia said.

Meanwhile, All India Congress Committee (AICC) media incharge for Punjab elections Alka Lamba trashed Majithia's allegations as ''baseless''. Majithia sought to show Honey's proximity to Channi through various purported photographs, and said Honey had even been provided security. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader said that with the chief minister also holding charge of the mining and environment departments, this was a case of conflict of interest and ''Channi did not have any moral right to continue in office''.

FRIVOLOUS, SAYS CHANNI

Reacting strongly to the "baseless and frivolous" allegations leveled against him by SAD leader Bikram Majithia, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday dared him to present even a single proof that indicates his involvement in sand mining across Punjab. “I have never denied my relationship with my nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey and being a relative he might be present at some of my functions.