After getting bail in a corruption case earlier this month, Punjab’s sacked health minister Dr Vijay Singla has been meeting people and holding public meetings. Singla had gone to meet Balkaur Singh, father of popularly known singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, at Musa village in Mansa district on Thursday. Sidhu Musewala,
Sidhu Musewala, who was shot dead in the village in May, had earlier this year contested the Punjab Assembly elections as a Congress candidate against Singla from Mansa assembly constituency. The former minister had defeated Musewala by a huge margin of over 63,000 votes and was also placed in the Punjab cabinet after his thumping victory.
On Thursday morning, Singla also condoled Moosewala’s demise and even posted pictures on his social media page. “He was shining like a star in the short span of his career. May God give strength to his family to bear this untimely death,” said the former health minister.
Singla, 52, accused of demanding “one per cent commission” in tenders and purchases by his department, was arrested on May 24 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
After he was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 8, Singla returned to his Mansa residence and has been meeting the people of the area regularly. He also attended on Thursday Soft Ceremonies of people living in the area with their supporters.
Ahead of Thursday’s meeting with Musewala’s father, he held a public meeting in Mansa town in a show of strength on Wednesday. “After winning, I had the honor of becoming the health minister of Punjab and worked 18 hours a day. During that period, there were many promotions and transfers…many tenders were done and there was also sale-purchase,” Singla said during the public meeting.
He said, ‘I have worked with utmost honesty and AAP’s policy is also to keep honesty above all. I challenge that if anyone can prove that I or my family or any of my relatives have taken even one rupee from anyone. All the work was done honestly.
The AAP leader said that he is a “loyal soldier” of this party. “I will continue to work honestly for the people… I am part of the government and I hope to come out clean.”