A Government Project Becomes a Political Battleground
The inauguration of a Smart City stadium built at a cost of around ₹6.5 crore in Jalandhar Cantt turned into a political controversy, with questions being raised over who should have inaugurated the government-funded project and who deserves credit for it.
The ceremony became contentious after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Halqa In-charge Rajwinder Kaur Thiara cut the ribbon. Members of the stadium club, local residents and families of players objected to the move, arguing that a government property should have been inaugurated by an elected government representative such as a minister or mayor rather than a party-appointed constituency in-charge.
Credit War Over ₹6.5 Crore Grant
The controversy soon expanded into a dispute over the project's political credit.
Club member Ravinder Singh, father of Olympian Mandeep Singh, alleged that a grant of more than ₹6.5 crore for the stadium had been sanctioned during the tenure of former Punjab Sports Minister Pargat Singh. He questioned why Pargat Singh's name was not mentioned on the inauguration plaque.
Ravinder Singh also claimed that around 25% of the stadium work was still incomplete at the time of the inauguration. According to him, the club had spent money from its own resources to make facilities such as the water tank and toilets functional.
He questioned the decision to inaugurate the stadium despite the alleged pending work, suggesting that political credit was being prioritised over completion of the project.
AAP's Internal Differences Surface
The inauguration also appeared to expose differences within the local AAP setup.
Senior Deputy Mayor Malkeet Singh was present at the venue but appeared to remain away from the main inauguration ceremony. His supporters alleged that he was not given the prominence or protocol expected of a senior elected representative.
There was also discussion at the venue that the Halqa In-charge arrived through a rear entrance rather than the main gate and proceeded with the inauguration, leaving supporters of the Deputy Mayor sidelined.
Malkeet Singh, however, avoided an open confrontation and maintained that he was a disciplined soldier of the party. Despite his measured response, his apparent distance from the main ceremony added another layer to the controversy.
Rajwinder Kaur Khehra Rejects Allegations
Amid the growing criticism, Rajwinder Kaur Thiara rejected the allegations and defended her role in the inauguration.
She said she had been appointed as the constituency in-charge by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the party high command, and therefore had the right to participate in inaugurations of development projects in the area.
On the absence of Mayor Vaneet Dhir, she said the Mayor had to travel to Chandigarh unexpectedly due to an urgent matter, following which she took responsibility for the inauguration.
Addressing questions about Malkeet Singh being sidelined, Thiara claimed that he had been duly invited but chose not to come forward for photographs himself.
Inauguration Raises Bigger Questions
The episode has now become a talking point in Jalandhar Cantt politics, bringing together two contentious issues — the political ownership of a publicly funded project and alleged differences within the ruling party's local leadership.
With questions also being raised over the reported incomplete work, the stadium inauguration has turned from a development event into a full-fledged political flashpoint.
