Tarn Taran: Harmeet Singh Sandhu, who won the Tarn Taran by-election, took oath as an MLA in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today.
Speaker Kultar Sandhwan administered the oath. Sandhu is now serving his fourth term as an MLA, making him the most senior member of the Vidhan Sabha in terms of experience. After taking the oath, the Speaker congratulated him and offered him sweets. He had earlier also met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Sandhu will now attend his first Vidhan Sabha meeting in Sri Anandpur Sahib, where a special session will be held to commemorate the centenary celebrations of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
What did the Speaker and the MLA say after taking the oath?
“Live up to the expectations of the people” – Speaker
On this occasion, Speaker Kultar Sandhwan said, “May God give Harmeet Singh Sandhu the strength to live up to the trust reposed in him by the people.” He said that Sandhu’s experience will prove useful in the Vidhan Sabha and he is capable of presenting his views effectively.
The Speaker also said that with the blessings of the ninth emperor, Sandhu’s first appearance will be in Sri Anandpur Sahib, which is an honour.
Development works will start within a week – Harmeet Singh Sandhu
Speaking to the media, Sandhu said, “I thank Guru Arjan Dev ji and the people of Tarn Taran who gave me a chance for the fourth time. Becoming an MLA will solve many long-standing problems in Tarn Taran.”
He further said that Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have assured that development works will start within a week of his swearing-in. He reiterated this during his meeting with the Chief Minister today.
Sandhu said that holding the first function in Sri Anandpur Sahib is a blessing from God and he will bow at the feet of the Guru.
A college for girls to be built
In response to a question about priorities, he said, “There are many local issues. Earlier, girls in the area had to go out to study. Now we will build a girls’ college. I have spoken to the Chief Minister about this. A technical college will also be built.”
“People of Majha are not afraid of gangsters.”
On the issue of drug abuse and gangsterism, Sandhu said the government is working seriously on it. He said that the border with Pakistan passes through the Tarn Taran region, from where drugs and weapons are sent through drones.
“Anti-drone systems have been installed in Tarn Taran, and they are showing considerable effectiveness. They have also been installed on the Attari border, 25 km away,” he said.
On the threat from gangsters, he said, “People of Manjha are not afraid. The public has voted strongly.”
Why were these by-elections held?
The Tarn Taran seat was won by Aam Aadmi Party’s Kashmir Singh Sohal in 2022, but he passed away due to illness this year. This left the seat vacant.
The AAP inducted Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harmeet Singh Sandhu into the party and nominated him as its candidate in the by-election.
Sandhu won the by-election by a margin of 12,091 votes, while Akali Dal’s Sukhwinder Kaur finished second. The election is being seen as a sign of the Akali Dal’s return to power in Punjab politics, as the party finished second despite being out of power.