Revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia’s former close aide and chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) Inderbir Singh Bolaria has managed to win not only political support, but also financial assistance from Food and Civil Supply Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon and Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi for the “development” of his constituency, Amritsar South. Last month, Bolaria had waged a war within the party to oppose the location of a solid waste treatment plant in Amritsar South, going against his own party president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s decision to continue with the project despite protest by local residents. Bolaria had also publicly complained about the lack of funds for the development of his constituency. Bolaria also staged a dharna on the issue against his own government. Before this, he was considered very close to Majithia. [related-post] Now, Kairon, a sworn rival of Majithia, has been providing wheat under Atta Dal scheme for blue card holders in Amritsar South constituency, while another Majithia rival, BJPminister Anil Joshi has given the go-ahead to a pending Rs 207 crore sewerage system project in Sultanwind village of Bolaria’s constituency. It is an open secret that all three — Majthia, Kairon and Joshi — are jockeying for supremacy in Majha. “Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had laid foundation stone for the sewerage system in February 2014. Somehow, it could not click on time. Now, minister Joshi has asked the company concerned to start the work. I am very thankful to Joshi for starting the work,” said Bolaria. The work began on Thursday. In the past, Joshi and Bolaria have had heated arguments over the issue of location of solid wastage treatment plant in Amritsar South. Bolaria also held a public meeting at Sultanwind Thursday while distributing free wheat under Atta Dal scheme to 1,500 beneficiaries. Eligible for 5 kg wheat for a month, each beneficiary was given quota for 10 months. Five trucks loaded with wheat bags were standing at the site of the public meeting. A close aide of Kairon and Punsup chairman Ajaypal Singh Meerakot was also present during distribution of wheat. Bolaria also warned the local SAD leaders in his constituency against creating trouble for him. “I warn local leaders to not play double games. Local leaders can be changed any time.” SAD local leaders in Amritsar South have been issuing statements against Bolaria from the day he decided to go against decision of party president.
