Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday lauded his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Singh Mann for sacking a cabinet minister on corruption charges. Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Admi Party which rules both Delhi and Punjab, said the party would not spare its own leaders if involved in corruption.
Punjab Health Minister Vijay Singla was sacked from the state cabinet and later arrested for allegedly demanding one per cent commission in tenders and purchases of his department. Mann himself announced the removal of Singla from the council of ministers and asserted that his government has zero-tolerance towards corruption.
"Proud of you Bhagwant. Your action has brought tears to my eyes. Whole nation today feels proud of AAP," Kejriwal wrote on Twitter. The Delhi CM noted that he had sacked one of his ministers for corruption soon after taking power in the capital state.
Mann, whose government came to power in Punjab barely two months ago, said the health minister was allegedly involved in wrongdoings in his department and he has also admitted to the same.
"I am taking strict action against that minister and I am removing him from the cabinet. I am also giving directions to the police to register a case against him," he said, adding, "That minister's name is Vijay Singla. He was the health minister”.
Soon after Mann's announcement, Punjab Police's Anti-Corruption Branch registered an FIR against Singla and arrested him.
Singla, 52, was elected MLA from the Mansa seat. He had defeated Punjabi singer and Congress candidate Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, also called Sidhu Moosewala.
