M A I N   N E W S

Badal to take action against Manpreet
Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 6
The core committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that held an emergency meeting here this evening has authorised Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to decide on an appropriate action, if any, against Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal for criticising the fiscal prudence of the SAD-BJP government.

The meeting was held following Manpreet Badal’s raking up the issue of Central debt waiver of Rs 35,000 crore on the floor of the House and later speaking out his mind to the media.

All members of the Core Committee unanimoulsy felt that the Finance Minister’s utterances were deliberate and aimed at embarrassing the governmnet. It was felt that since the Finance Minister is part of the Badal family, the chief minister should be empowered to take any disciplinary action.

Senior SAD leaders were of the opinion that the Finance Minister’s praise for the Centre was “uncalled for and intentional” to embarrass the government. It is learnt that a senior leader went to the extent of terming the Finance Minister’s utterances as part of a conspiracy to harm the party.

Though, the meeting was expected to end in a few minutes, it actually carried on for over two hours with all members of the core committee being very vocal.