Chandigarh, October 14
The political activity in the state today virtually shifted from in front of cameras to behind closed doors, with the government upping vigil on all legislators, irrespective of their party affiliations.

As soon as former Finance Minister Manpreet Badal boarded a flight to Delhi, the government got alerted to his movements, trying to keep tabs on his “mission”.

The BJP, SAD’s alliance partner, has, in the meanwhile, called an emergency meeting at Jalandhar tomorrow to take stock of the political developments in the state.

The government today sent out a clear message to all deputy commissioners to keep a close watch on the activities of legislators in their respective districts. At the same time, several SAD legislators flocked the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s residence to enquire about his health and reassure him of their sincerity and commitment to him and the party.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister formally took over the working of the Finance Department with Principal Secretary (Finance) KBS Sidhu briefing him about the files that required immediate attention.

Manpreet Badal had cleared all pending files till September 11, including that relating to the release of the last instalment of dearness allowance to the employees, before he demitted office on October 13.

Convener of the SAD disciplinary action committee (DAC) Ranjit Singh Brahmpura met the Chief Minister on the pretext of inquiring about his health today, but he reportedly also took Badal’s mind on what action was required to be taken with regard to the three SAD legislators who threw their lot behind Manpreet Badal, violating party discipline. Badal reportedly asked Brahmpura to adopt a “wait and watch” policy for the time being.

Brahmpura also asked Badal if they should hold a meeting on October 20, the date given to Manpreet Badal to reply to the show-cause notice, as the former Finance Minister had already announced that he would not appear before the committee. Badal suggested that the committee should hold its meeting, irrespective of Manpreet’s response.

Hectic efforts were on today to devise a strategy to persuade the three SAD MLAs, who have joined Manpreet, to come back. These MLAs are: Jagbir Brar (Jalandhar Cantt), Manjinder Singh Kang (Beas) and Sant Ajit Singh (Anandpur Sahib), besides Independent MLA Charanjit Singh Channi (Chamkaur Sahib). While, Sant Ajit Singh has gone into hiding after a general secretary of the SAD camped in Anandpur Sahib to meet and persuade him. Brar and Kang remained in Jalandhar and Amritsar.

At some level, talks are on with the All-India Shiromani Akali Dal (AISAD) for its revival so that it can provide an umbrella to all those looking for an alternative. This is an Akali faction that has moderate views and whose ideology would be acceptable to breakaways without much thinking. Sant Ajit Singh reportedly met AISAD president Jaswant Singh Mann this morning, before going into hiding.

Meanwhile, the Manpreet breakaway group has reportedly claimed that it has been receiving feelers from several quarters. The number of legislators who are in touch with Manpreet is reported to have risen by three. But none is willing to come on record at this stage. Before giving out his mind, Manpreet has decided to go to his electorate at the Gidderbaha constituency on October 16 to ask them if they wanted him to resign and seek re-election or continue in the current Vidhan Sabha.

The DAC has reportedly decided not to expel Manpreet from the party and keep his fate hanging in the balance, although Manpreet has said, “I am done with the SAD.” After Manpreet was sacked as Punjab’s Finance Minister and suspended from the party, the possibility of any reconciliation ended. His father Gurdas Badal, who had come to be with his son in the hour of need, left for Badal village today, without meeting his brother and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.