Chadha security row ‘political drama’: Congress MLAs seek white paper on cover allocation

Jalandhar: The controversy over AAP MP Raghav Chadha's security cover escalated on Wednesday, with Congress leaders terming it "political drama" and demanding transparency in security allocation in Punjab.Congress MLA Pargat Singh described the row, along with ED action against Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, as "staged drama" between the AAP govt and the BJP-led Centre to divert attention from pressing issues. "Enough theatrics have taken place. Nothing substantial will emerge from such developments. Both sides should focus on Punjab's welfare," he said, alleging that such controversies are used to shift focus when key issues arise, including farmers' distress.Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira termed the entire security allocation system "flawed and politically manipulated" and demanded a white paper on the grant and withdrawal of security cover to politicians and officials. "The people of Punjab deserve accountability. Security cannot be treated as a political privilege," Khaira said, adding that the Chadha episode exposed arbitrary decision-making.He questioned both the grant of Z+ security to Chadha and its subsequent withdrawal, asking whether any proper threat assessment was conducted.Khaira said security must be based strictly on objective threat perception, not on the "whims" of the govt. Referring to the killing of Sidhu Moose Wala, he said lapses in security allocation had previously had serious consequences. Pargat also questioned the AAP govt and the Centre over progress in the 2015 sacrilege cases and the Maur blast, and criticised chief minister Bhagwant Mann for not taking a firm stand.