Bholath: A section of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s residence in Ramgarh village was demolished on Monday by officials of the Block Development and Panchayat Office (BDPO) in Bholath, Kapurthala district, triggering sharp political reactions.
According to local authorities, the action was carried out over an alleged encroachment involving the front portion of the property. The demolition team reached the site in the morning and removed part of the entrance structure facing the main road.
As the operation unfolded, Khaira streamed the proceedings live on social media, alleging that the government was targeting him unfairly. He maintained that the entrance gate did not violate any norms and described the move as arbitrary. “This is completely unjust. The claim that our gate is an encroachment is baseless. We are immediately moving court to seek relief,” he said during the broadcast. Anticipating possible action, the MLA had gathered supporters at his residence earlier in the day, some of whom raised slogans against the administration.
The incident drew criticism from senior Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa. In a statement posted on X, Bajwa condemned the demolition and accused the state government of misusing power. Without mincing words, he said that those in authority must remember that public office is temporary and that their actions would be subject to scrutiny.
The ruling dispensation in Punjab has not yet issued a detailed statement on the controversy. Meanwhile, the episode has added to the simmering tensions between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party government in the state, with the matter likely to move to the courts in the coming days.
