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BJP warns Akalis of boycott if
power tariff increased
WSN Network
Amritsar: While
pulling the plug on the JD(S) government in Karnataka, the BJP has
warned the SAD in Punjab of boycotting the cabinet meeting if it
brought about the draft proposal of hiking power tariff for
discussion. Keeping in mind its urban vote bank, the BJP also
demanded subsidies on power rates for them.
The first
apparent fissure in the seven month-old SAD-BJP government came to
the fore when Balbir Punj, BJP Punjab affairs in-charge, in the city
to hold a meeting of party MLAs , MPs and workers, said to the media
that the SAD should make its stand clear on the issue. “If they
brought up the issue in the cabinet meeting, we will boycott,”
warned Punj.
Stating that the
BJP did not share the view that financial strength of the state
could be improved by increasing electricity rates, Punj said the
proposed hikes should not just be rolled back but urbanites should
be provided electricity on rural pattern.
Cabinet minister
Manoranjan Kalia said he appraised BJP’s concern on proposed hike in
electricity tariff to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and told
that people of Punjab
wouldn’t be able to bear any extra burden. Regretting the souring of
relations with SAD, Punj lamented that the BJP was not taken into
confidence by SAD while taking decisions on significant issues. “BJP
should have equal role while taking decisions on important issues of
the state,’’ said Punj who was quick to add, ‘‘There is a definite
scope of improvement in relations.”
Admitting that
on certain issues, the BJP and SAD had different perceptions, Punj
said, ‘‘If we feel our concerns are not being heard then we would
take them to the public. SAD ke saath mail to hai, par tal kuch kam
hai.’’ But he did not forget to eulogise the achievements of the
government in Punjab, though
he suggested further coordination between party workers at every
level.
10 October, 2007
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