Ousted Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal today expressed his readiness to appear before the Akal Takht,the highest temporal seat of Sikhs,for trimming hair or any other alleged religious misconduct in case the Takht Jathedar summons him. Manpreet rejected any move for a rapprochement with his uncle and chief minister Parkash Singh Badal who sacked him from the cabinet following differences over continuing subsidies and a reported offer by the Centre debt waiver. The former minister,who along with Jalandhar MLA Jagbir Brar was here to build contact with the people of this area in his bid to provide a political alternative in the state,said he would explain his position before the Takht whenever he would be called. However,he said he has no plan to get baptized in near future. Some senior Akali leaders have demanded that the Akal Takht Jathedar summon him as he had once got baptized but later violated the 'maryada' (principles) by trimming hairs. Cautioning the people against "rumours" about his possible rappraochment with the Badals,Manpreet said everything would be cleared on November 14 when he declares his next political move after paying obeisance at Darbar Sahib. He said his fight is on the basis of principle and not for post.
