An unprecedented crisis was created in Punjab’s ruling alliance as the BJP on Thursday announced its decision to boycott all meetings including those of the Cabinet and joint legislature party with Akali Dal till its demands about justice in the Tarn Taran incident were not met.
The BJP is protesting the failure of the State Government to take appropriate action against the Akali leaders and workers, who carried out a murderous attack on Rajesh Joshi alias Raja, who is the younger brother of the Local Bodies minister, Anil Joshi. The incident took place in the Tarn Taran district Deputy Commissioner's office complex during the second week of last month, on the eve of the civic polls.
The core committee of BJP’s State unit, which was closeted till late evening, decided to boycott all Cabinet meetings in the future. It also endorsed the decision of the party legislators to stay away from the joint legislature meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal earlier during the day. Meanwhile, on his way to the joint legislature parties meeting of the ruling alliance, Mr. Badal sought to play down the development by dismissing all questions on the issue saying “the media should not worry itself.”
The Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh, who also holds the Home portfolio apart from being the president of the Akali Dal, claimed complete ignorance about the boycott by the BJP. Subsequently, he admitted efforts to bring them around as parleys with the BJP leadership were on.
