Chandigarh, Jan 12: Till the other day, the opposition Congress in Punjab was gunning for cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia, whose only claim to fame is that he is the brother-in-law of all-powerful Deputy Chief Minister and ruling Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal. But now Majithia has been shown his place by none other than Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal himself.
Majithia, who is a big power centre in Punjab, thanks to Sukhbir Badal, got a satirical dressing down from Badal Sr at a function in Jalandhar in the presence of scores of non-resident Indians (NRIs). Standing next to the chief minister on the dais, an embarrassed Majithia had no place to hide as Badal continued with the barbs.
"Eh puchhoh jail katti hai? Ehna nu taan pakki pakayee mil gayee hai. Main satarah saal jail katti hai (Ask if he (Majithia) has been to jail. He got everything on a platter. I have spent 17 years in jails)," Badal Sr said while addressing the NRI conference, his barbs clearly aimed at Majithia.
"Thaal paros ke phadata, hun kabza karan nu phirde ne. Tussi vee badi tareef karde ho (We gave them (Majithia) the platter, now they want to take control (of the chair)," Badal continued as the audience laughed heartily but Majithia could hardly hide his embarrassment.
"Akali Dal koi saukhi gal nahin. Bada kuchh kita hai, taan ja ke assi lokan da confidence jiteya teh sarkaraan baniyaan han.....Mehnat karo, assi taan apna sama tapa leyaa...tagde ho ke inhaan di sewa karo (The Akali Dal is not an easy thing. We have done a lot and won the confidence of the people. That's how Akali governments have been formed....work hard, we have spent our time. Now, work hard to serve them (people)," the chief minister added.
