Amritsar, December 11
Former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today demanded the convening of the Vidhan Sabha session in the light of growing political uncertainty in the state.
He said the Amarinder government had virtually fled from the Punjab Civil Secretariat and there was a complete administrative paralysis in the state. Under the circumstances, the present government was in no position to discharge its constitutional obligations towards the people. Mr Badal said SAD would appeal to the Governor that he, as guardian of the Constitution, should intervene to ensure that the political confusion ended by testing the majority of government on the floor of the House.
“Even going by Capt Amarinder Singh’s claim that he had the support of 40 MLAs, the present government has lost its majority in the House”, he said while addressing mediapersons before paying obeisance at the Golden Temple after his release from jail, here today. He was accompanied by his son and former union minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Mr Badal who was in an upbeat mood said in the case of a mid-term election, his party would win the poll with a thumping majority.
However, Mr Badal said the SAD was not demanding the imposition of President’s rule in the state. His party wanted that the constitutionally formed government must enjoy the full confidence of the House and work in accordance with the Constitution. He, however, said he would abide by the court orders and not comment on its proceedings.
Earlier a large enthusiastic crowd from all over the city and outskirts came out to greet, Mr Badal who arrived here from Chandigarh, leading a huge
caravan of cars, trucks and buses to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple after his release from the Patiala jail yesterday.
The surging crowd offered garlands at several points on the GT road where welcome gates were put up. The unexpected rush of people from all walks of life have brought cheer to the Akali leaders and workers. They received a warm welcome from almost every segment of people who were lined up on both sides of roads. A large number of welcome banners were put throughout the route from Beas to Amritsar.
The Akali leaders were joined in large numbers by BJP workers at the entry points of the city to offer their solidarity with Mr Badal. He faces the charges levelled by the Congress government and was sent to jail along with his son. The Akali workers were seen offering tea and lungar at various small towns.
In Ropar, the Badals were greeted by hundreds of SAD workers at the Bhatha Sahib gurdwara crossing on their way to Amritsar.
In Nawanshahr, jubilant SAD-BJP workers greeted the Badals at Balachaur, Nawanshahr and Banga.
In Phagwara, Mr Parkash Singh Badal asserted that no Congress dissident was in touch with him but declared that Capt Amarinder Singh must go in the interest of Punjab.
During his brief stopover here, Mr Badal, heading a big cavalcade, denied any link with Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal for mobilising Congress rebels against Capt Amarinder Singh. “He would fall under his own weight”, he added.
Mr Badal declared that the anti-repression movement would be stepped up further and reiterated his faith in the judiciary.
Mr Badal alleged that the Chief Minister was politicising the bureaucracy by hand-picking DCs and SSPs to let “loose repression” against the Akalis.
