Bjp ‘Not Keen’ On Assembly Resolution

[Azaad]

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has called an emergency core committee meeting here tomorrow to decide on how to handle the Akal Takth’s “directive” to save ex-Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana from the gallows, even as it has roped in legal experts to find a way to delay the imminent hanging.

The dominant view emerging is that the state should try its utmost to ensure that Rajoana is not hanged in Punjab, as directed by the courts. This could involve contesting the jurisdiction of the case, which the SAD says is Chandigarh and not Punjab, and waiting for a decision on the pleas of the case co-accused.

Rajoana’s family could also be involved to find a solution. The family has said it respects the Akal Takth, indicating it stands by clemency for Rajoana. A last option would be bringing in a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha urging the Centre to grant clemency.

The government is also chalking out a strategy to counter hardliners who say that Rajoana be allowed to become a martyr as per his wishes. It also wants to ensure the situation does not get out of hand and is expected to ensure the March 28 bandh does not lead to any law and order problem.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the state had sought legal opinion and would deliberate on the Akal Takth’s directive in its core committee meeting tomorrow. He said the government would attempt to ensure peace at all costs. He also praised Beant Singh’s family for saying that it did not have any objection to clemency for Rajoana and termed it a positive development.

Sources said the SAD was in a Catch-22 situation. It wanted to steer clear of the issue and had expected the Akal Takth to persuade Rajoana to seek clemency. With this option having failed, the state is now expected to tell the Centre that hanging Rajoana would create a law and order problem as the matter had acquired emotional overtones. Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Bikram Majithia and former hardliner-turned moderate Virsa Singh Valtoha have set the tone for tomorrow’s core committee meeting by urging Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal not to give a tool to the hardliners to exploit the situation.

Meanwhile, the BJP has also called a meeting of its core committee to discuss the Rajoana issue on Sunday. The BJP is said to be uncomfortable in passing a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha urging clemency for Rajoana and, therefore, wanted to take the views of its party legislators. The meeting would be presided over by senior Central leader Shanta Kumar.

Exploring the options

n Legal experts being roped in, could contest the case jurisdiction

n Resolution in Vidhan Sabha also under consideration

What lies ahead

n The dominant view emerging is that the state should try its utmost to ensure that Rajoana is not hanged in Punjab, as directed by the courts

n This could involve contesting the case jurisdiction, which the SAD says is Chandigarh and not Punjab, and waiting for a decision on the pleas of the case co-accused

n Rajoana’s family could also be involved as it has said that it respects the Akal Takth, indicating that it stands by clemency for Rajoana

n A last option would be bringing in a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha urging the Centre to grant clemency