Capt Singh refers to minister as 'bacha' in assembly

Chandigarh, Mar 10 (UNI) The atmosphere in the Punjab Assembly remained surcharged when former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh commenced his speech during the debate on the Governor's address this afternoon.

However, in the midst of the heated exchanges that took place between Opposition and ruling party members, there were some lighter moments during the verbal duel between Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia and Capt Singh, who attended the assembly for the first time after taking oath of the current House in March last year.

Capt Singh was frequently interrupted by Mr Majithia while speaking on the Governor's address. However, the former chief minister kept his cool and often referred to the Minister as his 'bacha' (child).

''I have known you when you were a kid and have even seen you in a nappy,'' Capt Singh told the young minister while refering to his long association with Mr Majithia's family, in particular with his father. The former chief minister advised the Minister to control himself as he had just begun his political career and had a long way to go.

The minister reacted sharply when Capt Singh called him a 'bacha' and then began refering to the former chief minister as 'uncle'. A few ruling party members requested Speaker Nirmal Singh Khalon to direct Capt Singh not to use the word 'bacha' while addressing Mr Majithia.

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