Chandigarh, May 13
In a daylong political drama, the BJP today first gave notice to its alliance partner SAD by offering the resignations of its ministers in the government, only to step back after Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal ordered the suspension of two police officers, besides agreeing to take action against both deputy commissioner and SSP of Tarn Taran district to placate the party.
The core group of the BJP first met under the leadership of its Punjab state in charge Balbir Punj at its party headquarters to formulate an action plan to counter the assault on its party leaders and workers at three places during elections to the Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads yesterday.
Following the meeting, which was attended by party MP Navjot Sidhu and party state president Rajinder Bhandari, another meeting of party
legislators took place. To protest against the Akali highhandedness, it was decided to submit resignation of all five ministers, four parliamentary secretaries and one deputy
speaker to the Chief Minister. The leaders met the Chief Minister as well as senior Akali leaders, including SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, to vent their anger against the maltreatment meted out to their leaders and workers. Punj forwarded the resignations to the Chief Minister, who called for a meeting to resolve the issue.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Badal and Punj gave an indication that all was right with the coalition even though junior-level leaders, including legislator Anil Joshi who was attacked by supporters of Akali legislator Harmit Singh Sadhu, did not look all that happy. The Chief Minister disclosed that he had directed the suspension of Tarn Taran SP Tejinder Singh Maur and DSP Randhir Singh.
Badal also disclosed that action would be taken against Tarn Taran DC Ajoy Sharma and SSP Harinder Singh Chahal besides stating that an inquiry would be conducted into the entire issue by the border range IGP.
Regarding the two other incidents of violence against BJP leaders and workers in Bathinda and Deenanagar, the Chief Minister said at both places culprits had been identified and the process of apprehending them had been started. “Justice will be delivered according to the satisfaction of the BJP in both cases,” he added.
Punj, while reacting to the settlement, said the party’s alliance with the SAD was the oldest and was as strong as before. He said by and large all issues had been resolved.
