Manpreet resigns as MLA,to launch new party today

A day before his much-awaited rally at Khatkar Kalan,former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal on Saturday resigned as MLA of Shiromani Akali Dal. He tendered his resignation to the Speaker,and said he was also quitting from the primary membership of the party. Later,addressing the media,he said: I want to make a clean break from the past. And,I have asked the Speaker to accept my resignation forthwith.

In the post-script of his resignation letter,he stated that whatever allowances and benefits are still due to him as a legislator may be transferred to the Chief Ministers Relief Fund for cancer treatment. Let this be my last contribution to this Vidhan Sabha, it said.

Manpreet hinted that his supporter MLAs would also resign soon,as at present they were busy with preparations for Sundays rally. When asked why he chose this day to quit,he said he was launching a new party on Sunday and it was morally right to leave the SAD first. He added: People of my constituency,Gidderbaha,were not letting me leave. They will help me win again.