Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said he would take up the case of Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, Khalistan Liberation Force chief, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Badal said he would push for the review of Bhullar’s mercy petition, which was dismissed by President Pratibha Patil, during his forthcoming meeting with the Prime Minister.
Also, the Chief Minister reiterated his stand on whether or not to bring the Prime Minister under the Lokpal Bill. “The Prime Minister remains overburdened with issues of national and international importance, therefore there will be an adverse effect on his working,” Badal said on the sidelines of a Sangat Darshan function at Dhuri where he was accompanied by SAD secretary general-cum-Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.
However, Badal said his view on not bringing the PM under the purview of the Lokpal was his personal. “The party’s stand will be clarified during all-party meeting about the draft of the bill.”
Responding to a query about the deterioration of sewage system of the towns, particularly during monsoons, the CM averred that his government had done a lot for laying of sewage system, roads, adequate piped water supply and streetlights. He accused the Congress of not looking after these basic facilities during its long stint in the state.
Badal claimed record development by the SAD-BJP coalition government in the state as compared to more than 50 years of the Congress “misrule” and advocated more financial autonomy to the states.
The Chief Minister also patted his back for attending the function to address grievances of the common masses despite the scorching heat saying that “this was contrary to the Congress leaders’ lifestyle of ruling the state by sitting in air-conditioned rooms”.
To a question about the candidates for the forthcoming assembly elections, Badal said SAD candidates would be announced at an appropriate time.
Earlier, the CM laid the foundation stone of Dhuri Tehsil Complex being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 3.69 crore. He also distributed cheques worth Rs 6.40 crore for various developmental projects of 75 villages of Dhuri area.
Prominent among others who attended the Sangat Darshan function were PRTC chairman Ranjit Singh Balian, Dhuri MLA Iqbal Singh Jhunda and Deputy Commissioner Kumar Rahul.
