Our Correspondent
Fazilka, June 8

Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab, while talking to mediapersons at a press conference at Tahliwala Jattan village, 20 km from here, revealed this morning that the Shiromani Akali Dal could enter into poll pact with any political party in the ensuing Assembly elections to defeat the Congress party. Mr Badal indicated his party’s inclination for alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party. Commenting on Punjab BJP president Brij Lal Rinwa’s demand for 45 seats, he said an accord on this issue would be reached amicably at the time of elections.

To a question on compulsion of offering the only recently vacated seat of Rajya Sabha from Punjab to the BJP, Mr Badal said in a lighter vein that because the BJP demanded the seat so the SAD relinquished it. The Chief Minister said the voluntary retirement scheme had been implemented in Punjab and desirous employees could apply for it.

When the Chief Minister’s attention was drawn towards rise in number of murders, docoities and thefts in the area, Mr Badal gave directions to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ferozepore, who accompanied him, to check crime.

Regarding non-implementation of his announcement of setting up posts of Additional District Commissioner and Superintendent of Police at Fazilka, the Chief Minister said regular appointments on the newly created posts would be made in near future. Dismissing allegations of framing Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former Chief Minister of Punajb, in a false case of misuse of funds, Mr Badal clarified that he had never acted out of political vendetta. Earlier, he laid foundation stone of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Industrial Training Institute to be managed by the Jathedar Jagdev Singh Educational and Welfare Society. Mr Badal also laid foundation stone of 5 km link road from Mahuana Bodla to Dabwala Kalan villages.