Ally differs on clemency,SAD in a fix

Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma said: “ The stand of our party is very clear that we do not support any terrorist,it is our national stand. Let the law take its own course in this matter. One should not intervene in the proceedings of law”. On whether the BJP will support a clemency resolution for Balwant Singh if its senior alliance partner brings it in the Assembly,Sharma repeated: “Let the law take its own course”.

The issue has now put the SAD in a difficult position. It wanted to steer clear of the issue and had expected the Akal Takt to persuade Rajoana to seek clemency. With this option now 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.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had gone to Delhi on Friday evening to discuss the matter with the BJP High Command and seek their support on the issue. He met BJP leaders L K Advani and Arun Jaitely – a known legal expert – and apprised them of the situation. The BJP leaders have reportedly made it clear that they cannot dilute their stand on terrorism and hence cannot support clemency for Rajoana.

The BJP,however,has reportedly said that it would have no objection if the Shiromani Akali Dal finds can find a legal solution to put off the death sentence of Rajoana. The BJP leaders have also made it clear that the party will not support any proposed resolution in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on the issue.