San Jose (California)/ Chandigarh-In a sharp rebuttal amid ongoing political tensions in Punjab, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira from Bholath has categorically denied and debunked what he described as a “fictitious story” allegedly planted by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its sympathetic media outlets to defame him. Taking to social media, Khaira issued a strong statement: “I completely trash and debunk this fictitious story planted by @AamAadmiParty and their #Bikau Media to defame me. I urge such sold-out media not to indulge in character assassination. I demand that @DainikSavera_tv withdraw this fake news or else I will be forced to file a defamation lawsuit against the said media house.” He tagged senior Congress leaders, including @INCIndia, @kcvenugopalmp, @bhupeshbaghel, and @Pawankhera.
The development comes against the backdrop of Khaira’s frequent and vocal criticism of the AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Khaira has repeatedly raised issues related to governance, including power supply for agriculture, drug menace, and alleged political vendettas. He has often accused the ruling party of using media and state machinery to target opposition voices. Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a former AAP leader who later joined Congress, has been a prominent critic of the Mann government. His recent interventions in the Punjab Assembly and on social media have highlighted farmer distress, electricity shortages during the paddy season, and the effectiveness of the government’s anti-drug campaign. This has led to heated exchanges and multiple instances of political confrontation. Dainik Savera TV, the media house specifically named in Khaira’s statement, has covered Punjab Assembly proceedings involving Khaira in the past, including questions over censure motions and comparisons with statements by the Chief Minister.
Khaira’s Demand
Khaira has given a clear ultimatum to the media outlet to retract the report, warning of legal action for defamation and character assassination. This reflects growing concerns among opposition leaders about what they term “planted narratives” in Punjab’s polarized political environment.As of now, there has been no immediate response from Dainik Savera TV or AAP spokespersons on the matter. Political observers note that such public accusations often escalate into legal battles or further intensify Assembly debates ahead of key political developments, including preparations for future elections.Congress sources emphasized the need for responsible journalism and cautioned against any attempts to muzzle dissenting voices in Punjab’s democracy.
This story is developing. Updates will be provided as more details emerge from official statements or legal proceedings.