CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has announced willingness to undergo a dope test, accepting a challenge thrown by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Aman Arora. He however, said that he would “leave it to the conscience of other elected representatives to take a decision on the same.” The CM tweeted, “Ready to take a dope test and stand for what I believe is right! However, I leave it to others conscience to make their own judgment. Though I don't think anyone should have any problem in taking such a test.”
The statement came after the AAP MLA challenged him to take the test and set an instance for his ministers and party lawmakers. Arora had tweeted, “Though I'm not against this order, let's b honest @capt_amarinder ji, it has been the Politicians who had patronised Drug Mafia. Instead of these orders, as head of the State, U should have taken the first step. Nevertheless, I got my DOPE TEST done today. When are you getting it done, Sir?”
Arora underwent the dope test at a government hospital in SAS Nagar a day after the Chief Minister ordered mandatory dope test for all state government employees. Meanwhile, president of Punjab Civil Secretariat Association, SK Khehra said, “We have no objection to dope test. We demand govt notification should also include the CM, ministers, MLAs, party presidents and their workers. Why should they be excluded?” Meanwhile, Amarinder said he is willing to undergo dope tests. “Given the gigantic scale of the drug problem in Punjab, nobody should have any problems about taking such a test. A couple of politician, including a Minister in my Cabinet, have already shown the way by volunteering for drug screening.”
“Even though no fingers have so far been pointed at any ruling party politician for complicity of any kind in drug abuse or pedalling, if any Minister or MLA felt the need to offer to take the test, they are welcome to do so,” the CM said. Arora said, “When we had to seek votes (for the Congress), Amarinder Singh held the 'Gutka Sahib' in his hand and took a pledge to wipe out drugs and drug mafia from Punjab within four weeks of coming to power. But even after over one year, nothing has been done by his government to curb the drugs racket.”
