Cong MLA’s shoes get Rs 50,000 price tag

Minister Madan Mohan Mittal showing the shoe thrown by Congress MLA Tarlochan Singh Soondh towards treasury benches inside the House, at the Punjab assembly in Chandigarh on September 14 . Photo source: HT
Minister Madan Mohan Mittal showing the shoe thrown by Congress MLA Tarlochan Singh Soondh towards treasury benches inside the House, at the Punjab assembly in Chandigarh on September 14 . Photo source: HT

Chandigarh: Congress MLA from Banga Tarlochan Singh Soondh would never have imagined how his worn-out pair of shoes would become a “prized” possession.

A Canada-based news channel has reportedly offered Soondh Rs 50,000 if he could bring on their show the shoe allegedly hurled by him towards the Akali Dal legislators in the Vidhan Sabha, or even the one he did not throw.

The MLA went back to the Vidhan Sabha this afternoon to get his shoes. Secretary Shashi Lakhanpal Mishra reportedly told him that the shoe that landed near Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia was a “case property”, while the other one was not in their possession.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said while the shoe that fell near Majithia had been handed over to the Speaker’s office, he had no clue where the other one was.

Soondh had claimed that he had hurled the shoe at Akali MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha over an alleged caste slur.

The Treasury benches came to know about the shoe-hurler only when they noticed that Soondh had only   one shoe on. Sensing trouble, Soondh hid it near his seat. It was taken into possession by the watch and ward staff and its whereabouts are not known.

Soondh admitted receiving calls from Canada-based news organisations. “They want to highlight the incident as a strong protest not just against Majithia, but against the government,” he said. Soondh walked barefoot yesterday and asked the CLP office secretary to arrange a pair of shoes. “They did buy me a new pair, but it was uncomfortable. Now I am looking for a new pair in the Sector 19 market,” he said.

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