M A I N   N E W S

Badal to seek Congress support
Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 24
A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced that it would oppose the proposed resolution seeking clemency to Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said he would consult the Congress leadership on the issue.

BJP vice-president and Punjab affairs in-charge Shanta Kumar had yesterday said the party would oppose any move by the SAD to table a resolution in the next Assembly session in favour of clemency to Bhullar, who is on death row.

Badal said, “We will talk to the Congress leadership to garner its support in the assembly on the issue. We will take everyone into confidence. The SAD will again try to convince the BJP.” The CM was here to meet Jalandhar Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Singh Bhatia who lost his son in a road accident last week.

On the alleged casting of votes by “Patits” in the recently held SGPC polls, Badal said he was not aware about any such thing. “How can anyone know who has cast vote for whom. The observers were from Haryana and not from Punjab. They said it was a free and fair election. In fact, people who are complaining now should have objected at the time of making of voter lists,” he quipped.

About PPP chief Manpreet Badal, the CM said he still “cared for him”. “I pity him. He has taken a wrong step. In fact, politically he has committed suicide…. My brother Gurdas Singh Badal will never contest against me. I know him to the core,” said Badal.

On DGP PS Gill’s proposed candidature from Moga, the Chief Minister said he was not aware about any such move. “Gill is still the DGP. He is open to join the SAD, Left or the Congress after his superannuation….It’ll be his choice,” Badal quipped in a lighter vein.

About the Hansi-Butana canal issue, Badal said Haryana had not taken any permission to construct the canal. “We will seek all possible legal remedies. Our stance has always been that the natural flow of water should be allowed and maintained.”

Resolution on Bhullar

We will talk to the Congress leadership to garner its support in the Assembly on the issue. We will take everyone into confidence. The SAD will again try to convince the BJP. — Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab CM