'Extremely unfortunate': Sunny Deol on controversy over appointing Gurdaspur representative
What's the story
Actor-turned-politician and Gurdaspur MP, Sunny Deol, who is facing criticism for appointing a "representative" to take care of his constituency in Punjab, termed the controversy over the same as "extremely unfortunate". The BJP lawmaker defended his move saying the appointment was done to ensure that work isn't disrupted or delayed in his absence. Critics have accused him of "outsourcing his parliamentary duties". Here's more.
Response
Controversy being created out of nothing at all: Deol
Responding to the controversy over the appointment of a representative in Gurdaspur, Deol said that it was "extremely unfortunate to see a controversy being created out of nothing at all." The 62-year-old BJP MP earlier announced that he had appointed a representative to "attend meetings" and follow "important matters" regarding his constituency, adding that he also wanted to keep himself updated.
Details
Appointment made to ensure smooth flow of work: Deol
Deol said he appointed his personal assistant as the Gurdaspur representative to "ensure smooth flow of work whenever I am out of Gurdaspur to attend the Parliament or traveling for work." "We have our entire party leadership in the constituency to look into matters who have my full support and vice versa," Deol said, adding he was "genuinely committed to the cause of Gurdaspur."
Twitter Post
Here's what the first-time MP tweeted about the controversy
— Sunny Deol (@iamsunnydeol) July 2, 2019
Quote
Deol appointed writer Gurpreet Singh Palheri as the representative
"I hereby appoint Gurpreet Singh Palheri, son of Supinder Singh, resident of village Palheri, district Mohali, Punjab, as my representative to attend meetings and follow important matters pertaining to my Parliamentary constituency, Gurdaspur, with concerned authorities," Deol stated in a letter. Gurpreet is a writer.
Twitter Post
Letter issued on the letterhead of the Gurdaspur MP
Newly elected Gurdaspur MP sunny deol wont be able to attend parliamentry proceeding and in turn he want his representative to be allowed for dat..que arises y such celebrities shld be given ticket whn thy dont have tym for nation. @narendramodi @AmitShah @INCIndia @BJP4India pic.twitter.com/QVd0UstxAr
— Monika Singh (@11monikaSingh) July 2, 2019
Criticism
'How can an MP appoint his representative?' asks Congress leader
Meanwhile, the Congress reacted sharply to the appointment of Deol's Gurdaspur representative and accused the first-time MP of "betraying" voters in the constituency. Congress leader and Dera Baba Nanak's MLA, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, said: "How can an MP appoint his representative? Voters have elected Sunny Deol as their MP, not his representative." The actor joined BJP on April 23, during the Lok Sabha polls.