Chandigarh, July 1
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has resigned. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has forwarded his resignation to the Punjab Governor for acceptance. His resignation was necessitated because no by-election could take place in the state within six months of his taking over as second-in-command in his father’s cabinet.
With the Election Commission announcing three by-polls of Banur, Jalalabad and Kanuwan, the junior Badal is expected to contest the Jalalabad constituency and then if elected, stake claim to be the Deputy Chief Minister again.
Currently overseas, he confirmed that he had tendered his resignation and that he would be contesting the forthcoming by-poll, but added that the seat would be decided by the party.
Sukhbir is also president of the SAD.
