The CM's keeping his cards close to his chest has added a mystery element to the game.
His holding back the name of the Akali candidate for the February 29 assembly byelection in Moga suggests he might have his doubts about Joginder Pal Jain, who quit as local legislator to switch to the ruling party from the Congress.
A perfect poker face was his reply here on Saturday to the question of who would be final battle horse of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Journalists could get nothing out of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
'Hang rapists'
Favouring capital punishment for culprits in any case of rape where the victim suffers brutal death, Badal said the government would recruit 500 women sub-inspectors for all police stations of Punjab, and women lawyers for district courts. He also criticised the union government for the recent increase in the train fare.
Badalspeak
Bathinde Waaleo, Jinna thode lyi keeta oona ta…, Maaf krna baaki jile waale vi gussa krnge (O' the people of Bathinda, what I have done for you…, pardon me, but it will annoy the people of other districts)
Mai lafafe ch kooda chukkan aa jaunga, mainu jhaadu fada do; mainu ta jehdi duty deonge mai kar laini hai, par tuhanu vi agge aana payega (I will come here to collect the city's waste in bags, you give me a broom for cleaning, I accept even that duty, but even you will have to come forward to serve the country)
{{/usCountry}}Mai lafafe ch kooda chukkan aa jaunga, mainu jhaadu fada do; mainu ta jehdi duty deonge mai kar laini hai, par tuhanu vi agge aana payega (I will come here to collect the city's waste in bags, you give me a broom for cleaning, I accept even that duty, but even you will have to come forward to serve the country)
{{/usCountry}}