ALIWAL (Ludhiana), Nov16 —The decks seem to have been cleared for the exit of the controversial Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, with the Punjab Chief Minister and the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal dropping clear hints to the effect for the first time here today.

Mr Badal, while giving a veiled answer to mediapersons on the issue of replacing Bibi Jagir Kaur as nominee for the post of SGPC chief, following her implication in the murder case of her daughter by the Central Bureau of Investigation, said that this issue as well as the issue of nominating the party candidate for the forthcoming SGPC elections on November 30, would be decided at the Political Affairs Committee meeting of the party to be held within three days.

It may be noted that this is the first time that Mr Badal has spoken on the issue of Bibi Jagir Kaur. Before the CBI had charged the SGPC chief with murder, Mr Badal had always been evasive on any queries on the issue and maintained that the law would take its own course.

On being repeatedly probed on the issue of removal of Bibi Jagir Kaur, he said that he was not just another individual, but the leader of a political party. “Mere chahan ya na chahan te iho jihe faisle nahin honde... Even if I feel that Bibi should quit, such issues have to be taken up in the Political Affairs Committee meeting and decisions about the removal or continuance of any office- bearer have to be decided on this forum. “

When asked if the image of the Shiromani Akali Dal had suffered a setback following the implication of its senior leader, Jagir Kaur, in a murder case, Mr Badal curtly replied,” The crime conducted by any individual cannot have a bearing on the image of the party he or she represents. The implication of any party leader in a criminal case does not reflect on the party. As such, the recent developments have not affected the public image of SAD.”

The Chief Minister was in Aliwal, 30 km from Ludhiana, to express his condolence with the former Member of Parliament, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, whose father, Nahar Singh had died recently. He also announced that the village school would be upgraded and named after Nahar Singh. Among others who came to the house of the Youth Akali Dal President to express their sympathies were Mr. Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Mr. Jagdish Singh Garcha and the BJP Member of Parliament, Lala Lajpat Rai.

Today’s developments also gain significance as the President of Shiromani Akali Dal is learnt to have decided on a replacement for Bibi Jagir Kaur as the party’s candidate for the SGPC President elections. In fact, the mediapersons were made to wait for a while as Mr Parkash Singh Badal was engaged in a closed door meeting with the other leaders of his party. Sources inform that the SAD president has reportedly given his assent to the nomination of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi as the party nominee for the presidentship during the forthcoming SGPC elections.

Back from his foreign tour, the Chief Minister’s hands seem to be full of trouble. Other than Bibi Jagir Kaur, allegations are also being levelled against another senior Akali leader and the state’s Agriculture Minister, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, in spearheading the conspiracy in the murder of Congress leader from Dhoolkot, Mr. Harmesh Mukhija.

When asked to comment on this, Mr Badal, said that till the allegations were proved, it was unfair to comment or demand the resignation of the person concerned.