As Shiromani Akali Dal is planning to bring out a resolution supporting clemency to Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar who was awarded death sentence in a bombing case of 1993, its alliance partner in Punjab government, BJP has decided to oppose it.
Earlier Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal announced to bring a resolution in support of Bhullar in forthcoming session of state assembly, which is expected in first week of October. Reacting to its BJP's Punjab affairs incharge and national vice-president Shanta Kumar said that SAD has not taken them into confidence before making this announcement.
"We have been meeting chief minister very often, but he never discussed the issue with us, and we will stick to our stand and would oppose the resolution in the assembly," he categorically announced adding that BJP stands always has been against terrorism. "SAD is our alliance partner in running the government but we have separate agenda to run the party, and we can't deviate from that," added Shanta Kumar.
The lawyers dealing with Bhullar's case have decided to file an amended petition against the decision of President of India rejecting clemency to Bhullar when supreme court has stayed execution of death sentence to Bhullar. The petition is expected to be filed in the Delhi high court in next few days.
{{/usCountry}}The lawyers dealing with Bhullar's case have decided to file an amended petition against the decision of President of India rejecting clemency to Bhullar when supreme court has stayed execution of death sentence to Bhullar. The petition is expected to be filed in the Delhi high court in next few days.
{{/usCountry}}Punjab's BJP president Ashwini Kumar, national general secretary JP Nadda and state general secretary Kamal Sharma were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile SAD and BJP have decided to swap some of the assembly constituencies in forthcoming elections. "There are some constituencies where BJP is strong and but SAD was fielding candidates and vice versa, so we have decided to inter-change those constituencies and field where both the alliance partners feel that they are strong," announced Shanta Kumar adding that BJP would contest on 23 constituencies as it did in 2007 elections.
Shanta Kumar also demanded resignation from Home minister P. Chidambaram over his stand in controversial allocation of 2G spectrum in 2008 as union finance minister. BJP's Murli Manohan Joshi as chairman of parliament's public accounts committee probed 2G scam and contended that a finance minister (Chidambaram) has pushed country into a scam.
Speaking about Economic situation in Punjab, Shanta Kumar accepted that Punjab was in economic stress. "When entire country is passing through difficult phase due faulty policies of UPA government then why single out Punjab, I think UPA government is unanswerable for recession all over the country," added Shanta Kumar.