Punjab: Sunil Jakhar fails to reply to Congress disciplinary panel notice, faces action
New Delhi, April 19: Former Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar has failed to reply to the January 11 show-cause notice served on him by the party’s disciplinary committee, following which he is all set to face action. The disciplinary panel headed by former Defence Minister AK Antony had given Sunil Jakhar a week’s time to respond. However, the deadline ended today (April 19). The committee had served show-cause notices on former Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar and former Union Food Minister KV Thomas. Thomas has responded, panel member Tariq Anwar said. Also read | India reports 1,247 fresh Covid-19 cases; 1 death from UP "We had served show-cause notices on both leaders and sought a reply within a week, but we have not received Sunil Jakhar's reply. The disciplinary committee will hold its meeting in the next day or two and take appropriate action, which includes suspension or expulsion," Anwar said today. Jakhar for his part said the committee which had served the notice was well within its rights to do what it deemed fit. Jakhar is facing a notice for remarks on Punjab election eve that "he got the maximum 42 MLA votes in the race for Punjab chief minister-ship after Captain Amarinder Singh was removed, Sukhjinder Randhawa got 16, Charanjit Singh Channi, the Congress’ pick for the post two votes, Navjot Sidhu six and Preneet Kaur 12". After the Congress party’s poll debacle in Punjab, he had described Charanjit Singh Channi as a liability for the Congress in Punjab. KV Thomas was showcaused for attending a conference called by the CPM, Congress party's principal rival in Kerala, despite party chief Sonia Gandhi instructing state leaders not to go against the state unit line on the matter. Also read | Soon, WhatsApp to allow 32 persons in group voice call; bring emojis in chats -PTC News with agency inputs