Ruling SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab on verge of split
Punjab Newsline Network
Friday, 19 June 2009
BJP ministers boycott cabinet meeting
CHANDIGARH: The ruling alliance of Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP in Pun jab is on the verge of split following serious differences erupted between the two parties. The four BJP ministers on Thursday boycotted the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
It is learnt that BJP minister took the decision to boycott the cabinet meeting in protest against abusive language used by SAD MAL Sarabjit Singh Makkra against Industry minister Manoranjan Kalia. Makkar yesterday went to house of Kalia for some work related to Kalia's department. Makkar reportedly accused Kalia for deliberately delaying the work. According to BJP sources Makkar abused Kalia in front of many visitors at his home.
Makkar who is considered to be close to SAD president and deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal has reportedly been asked by Chief Minister to apologise from Kalia. Sukhbir Badal is presently out of country and he has been informed of developments. Balbir Punj BJP secretary and in charge of Punjab affairs told media persons that they should ask Badal about what is happening in Punjab. Rajinder Bhandari state unit president has said that they would tolerate insult of its ministers.
Though Makkar issue is immediate reason of bad blood between alliance partners, the cold war between the two was going on since long. The SAD and BJP ministers reportedly are not accommodating workers of each other and tension prevailed in the alliance since long. Last year too BJP MLA had submitted their resignations in protest against highhandedness of SAD in Municipal Corporation elections.
It is believed that BJP was eying the post of deputy Chief Minister and they are using the Makkar issue to pressurise Badal to offer them post of deputy CM. Sukjhjbir Badal would step down from the post of deputy CM in first week of July. He would be completing six months in the office on July 20 and he was not yet contested election to become MLA. Since there is no assembly by-election before July 20, he is expected to resign before Vidhan Sabha session beginning July 3.
Punjab Newsline Network
Friday, 19 June 2009
BJP ministers boycott cabinet meeting
CHANDIGARH: The ruling alliance of Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP in Pun jab is on the verge of split following serious differences erupted between the two parties. The four BJP ministers on Thursday boycotted the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
It is learnt that BJP minister took the decision to boycott the cabinet meeting in protest against abusive language used by SAD MAL Sarabjit Singh Makkra against Industry minister Manoranjan Kalia. Makkar yesterday went to house of Kalia for some work related to Kalia's department. Makkar reportedly accused Kalia for deliberately delaying the work. According to BJP sources Makkar abused Kalia in front of many visitors at his home.
Makkar who is considered to be close to SAD president and deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal has reportedly been asked by Chief Minister to apologise from Kalia. Sukhbir Badal is presently out of country and he has been informed of developments. Balbir Punj BJP secretary and in charge of Punjab affairs told media persons that they should ask Badal about what is happening in Punjab. Rajinder Bhandari state unit president has said that they would tolerate insult of its ministers.
Though Makkar issue is immediate reason of bad blood between alliance partners, the cold war between the two was going on since long. The SAD and BJP ministers reportedly are not accommodating workers of each other and tension prevailed in the alliance since long. Last year too BJP MLA had submitted their resignations in protest against highhandedness of SAD in Municipal Corporation elections.
It is believed that BJP was eying the post of deputy Chief Minister and they are using the Makkar issue to pressurise Badal to offer them post of deputy CM. Sukjhjbir Badal would step down from the post of deputy CM in first week of July. He would be completing six months in the office on July 20 and he was not yet contested election to become MLA. Since there is no assembly by-election before July 20, he is expected to resign before Vidhan Sabha session beginning July 3.
