M A I N   N E W S

Bhattal rules out compromise
Claims support of at least 33 MLAs
R. Suryamurthy
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 11
Emboldened by what she claimed as a “positive indication” from the AICC panel, Punjab Agriculture Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal hardened her stand today and demanded the removal of Capt Amarinder Singh as Chief Minister to end the impasse.

Launching a scathing attack against Capt Amarinder Singh, she declared she would stay put in Delhi until the “Maharaja of Patiala” was removed from chief ministership.

Accusing him of lying and flouting the party’s discipline, she alleged that the Chief Minister had tried to keep the high command in the dark by “parading” those who were not even members of the state legislature.

Ms Bhattal claimed that at least 33 legislators, including 16 ministers, were openly opposed to the leadership of Capt Amarinder Singh. She claimed that the number of legislators would rise to 40 by tomorrow as some were on their way to Delhi, and others, who had been “confined” by Capt Amarinder Singh, would join her soon.

The dissident camp provided a list of the legislators who were in it to The Tribune to authenticate its claim.

Of the 117-member Punjab Assembly, 64 MLAs belong to the ruling Congress.

Picking holes in Capt Amarinder Singh’s claim, she said three legislators — Romesh Dutt Sharma, Ashok Sharma and Raghunath Sahai Puri — were very much in their camp. Ms Bhattal also presented them before newspersons.

She further claimed that two Independents, who are supporters of the Akali Dal faction led by Mr Ravi Inder Singh, were shown as part of Congress legislators.

“By claiming 40 legislators on his side, Capt Amarinder Singh has further alienated himself,” she alleged.

Ruling out any compromise, she said the continuation of Capt Amarinder Singh as Chief Minister would suit the Akalis and the Congress would fare poorly in the Lok Sabha poll.

Asked whether the framing of charges by a Chandigarh court against her would be an impediment to her nomination as Chief Minister, Ms Bhattal said, “How can that be? Framing of charges does not mean one has been proved guilty. Moreover, charges have been framed against Capt Amarinder Singh in two criminal cases. How can one adopt double standards?” she asked.

The head of the Shaheed Beant Singh group, Mr Harnam Dass Johar, said, “Open dissidence by Congress legislators, including 16 ministers and eight corporators and committee heads, is a slap on the face of Capt Amarinder Singh. It clearly indicates that the party legislators are ready to leave their post to save the party, unlike the `Maharaja’, who wants to cling to power, even though it harms the interests of the party.”

Pricking the “inflated” image of Gurkanwal Kaur, Dr Harbans Lal, Parkash Singh Bhatti, Romesh Dutt Sharma, Rakesh Pandey, Ashwani Sekhri, Razia Sultan, Gurchet Singh Bhullar, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Tej Prakash Singh, Swinder Singh, Dr Raj Kumar, Jagjit Singh Randhawa, Dr Mohinder Singh Rinwa, Sadhu Singh, Sher Singh Gagowal, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Tarlochan Singh Soondh, Raj Khurana, Kanwaljit Singh Lally, Malkiat Singh Birmi, Rumal Chand, Raghunath Sahai Puri, Aruna Choudhary, Hans Raj Josan, Malkit Singh Dakha, Ashok Sharma and Mohinder Singh Kaypee.

List of dissident legislators

The MLAs who claim to be in the dissident camp are the following: Harnam Dass Johar, Jagmohan Singh Kang, Gurbinder Singh Atwal, Amrik Singh Dhillon, Gurkanwal Kaur, Dr Harbans Lal, Parkash Singh Bhatti, Romesh Dutt Sharma, Rakesh Pandey, Ashwani Sekhri, Razia Sultan, Gurchet Singh Bhullar, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Tej Prakash Singh, Swinder Singh, Dr Raj Kumar, Jagjit Singh Randhawa, Dr Mohinder Singh Rinwa, Sadhu Singh, Sher Singh Gagowal, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Tarlochan Singh Soondh, Raj Khurana, Kanwaljit Singh Lally, Malkiat Singh Birmi, Rumal Chand, Raghunath Sahai Puri, Aruna Choudhary, Hans Raj Josan, Malkit Singh Dakha, Ashok Sharma and Mohinder Singh Kaypee.