Badal warns of Vidhan Sabha dissolution

The resolution reposing faith in Badal was moved by Cooperation Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, who is considered to be in the dissident camp. However, he made it clear that all was not well, both within the party as well as the government. He said he had moved the resolution because he was asked to. The resolution was seconded by Finance Minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh.

Ravi Inder Singh, who is spearheading the signature campaign supported by All India Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra, was one of the four MLAs not invited to the meeting.The 11 MLAs associated with Tohra, but who continue to be the members of the Akali Dal Legislature Party, did not show up at the meeting.

The signature campaign had been launched apparently to requisition meeting of the Akali Dal Legislature Party to discuss the party’s rout in the Lok Sabha election but the main target is Badal’s ouster.

Commenting on Saturday night’s meeting, a senior Akali leader said, "Badal is virtually under siege. He would have to act quickly and take appropriate steps and give out proper signals if the situation is to be reversed."

The Badal Government has not been able shed the image of non-performance. It has been accused of increasing corruption.

Much would depend on the SGPC executive committee election slated for November 10 followed by the much awaited cabinet expansion. Badal has also hinted at accommodating some MLAs as chairmen of the public sector undertakings. It is being felt the situation would become clear after the two developments.