Dera chief verdict: Congress MLA s adopt cautious approach

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 24

Ahead of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s verdict in a rape case, MLAs of the Congress — the ruling party — on Thursday remained mum over the party’s stand in the case.

Admitting that the party that did not get support of the Dera during the last assembly elections, an MLA said they were caught in a piquant situation.

“Whichever way the decision goes, it could lead to trouble between the Dera followers and the radicals in the state in the Malwa region. The party leaders do not want to fish in troubles waters,” admitted a senior leader from Malwa region.

Fearing a repeat of the 2007 violence in Bathinda, Congress leaders are adopting a wait-and-watch policy as they keep their fingers crossed.

Refusing to comment on the political situation arising out the verdict tomorrow, PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar said law and order is being maintained at any cost.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh also sounded confident while stating that nobody wants trouble in Punjab.

The Dera Sacha Sauda Premis are also Punjabis and do not want to destroy peace, he said.

An MLA from Malwa, however, admitted that despite the Dera followers largely supporting the SAD in the assembly elections, they had been advised to adopt wait-and-watch policy.

Rajpura MLA Hardyal Kamboj said he has been meeting the Dera followers in his area, urging them to maintain peace.