U-turn on issues highlight rift between CM Badal,Sukhbir

Sukhbir,who is also president of the SAD,sources said had supported the FDI in retail. He even wrote a letter to the Centre last month supporting the move. But now,under pressure from both his father and political ally BJP,which is opposing the move,the SAD chief had to backtrack on his stance.

The differences between the father-son duo also surfaced on the issue of dismissal of Charanji Lal Garg,an Akali leader from Bathinda. Sukhbir expelled him from the party last week and a press release confirmed the development. However,within hours the press release was withdrawn,sources said,after the CM intervened.

Even during the recent functions held to unveil memorials at Virsat-E-Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib,Chhota and Wada Ghalughara and Baba Banda Singh Memorial,the CM dominated the show. Sukhbir did not attend the Chhota Ghalughara function.

Sources in the party said that the CM will be leading the election campaign from the front while his son would play a “managerial role”.

Incidentally,it is not the first time that the Badals have taken a U-turn on an important issue. The CM had initially favoured keeping prime minister out of the ambit of the Lok Pal but later changed his stand. “People’s view must be given weightage. Also the draft of the Bill should be kept in public circulation and only after objections or suggestions from public the parliament should pass it,” the CM had said while clarifying why he changed his stand.

The party also changed its stance on the issue of mercy plea for Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar. The SAD planned to move a resolution in the Assembly seeking mercy plea for Bhullar,but later backtracked. The chief minister had said that the resolution was not introducing in the Assembly as the Congress and the BJP were not supporting the move.

Party spokesman Daljeet Singh Cheema tried to play down the issue. “It is good to consult within the party and take a decision,which has consensus of all. Why should one take a stand and then just try to stick to it?’” he asked.

State Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh said there was nothing new in Badals backtracking on their stand.