Chandigarh, October 2
Finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal today disappointed many detractors of the Badal family, by refusing to react after being rebuked by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. All chief minister’s nephew had to say was: “I will meet Badal Sahib”.
The manner, however, in which he said, “main Badal Sahib naal ladna nahin” (I am not going to fight with Badala Sahib) clearly indicated that he was in no mood for confrontation.
In reaction to finance minister’s observations on the state of economy at a “Meet the Press Programme” at the Chandigarh Press Club on Tuesday, the Chief Minister had issued a warning of sorts, asking his Cabinet colleagues to refrain from making “irresponsible statement”.
For the entire day today, political circles were abuzz about the possible fallout of the developments with “political pundits” making predications on whether the finance minister would take up cudgels against his “uncle” or would succumb to the “dictates”. Many senior politicians continued to inquire if “any other legislator had supported or criticised Manpreet”.
Manpreet reportedly told some colleagues that he stood by his belief that “subsidies were not good for any economy”. He clarified that he has only said “Punjab urgently required Rs 3,000 crore, even if it came from a “kala chor” for education and health”.
He had on Tuesday hinted that this revenue could come from additional taxes, better rationalising of subsidies, enhancing tax collection, etc. But, he was wrongly quoted by some as having spoken about withdrawal of subsidies.
In a specific question about “how Central leaders responded to the SAD leaders when they go to Delhi with demands”, Manpreet had said that “Badal Sahib’s stature as a politician was so large that no one dared to show disrespect to him. It would be cowardice to say things otherwise” This, however, got reported, as “Punjab has never been mistreated by the
Centre”.
