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Five Punjab ministers quit

Five Punjab ministers owing allegiance to Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee president Gurcharan Singh Tohra have resigned from the Parkash Singh Badal government. The resignations were accepted today by Punjab Governor Lieutenant General (retired) B K N Chhibber on Badal's recommendation.

Official sources said the ministers sent their resignations to the chief minister through a security officer, apparently expressing their indignation that Tohra was criticised for demanding Badal's resignation from the post of party president. Tohra had suggested that the chief minister should devote his full time to governance of the state.

Those who have resigned are Public Works Minister Harpal Singh Tohra, Medical Education Minister Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Higher Education Minister Manjit Singh Calcutta, Minister of State for Jails, Health and Family Welfare Inderjit Singh Zira and Minister of State for Printing and Stationery Surjit Singh Kohli.

Manjit Singh Calcutta later said the ministers would continue to support the ruling Akali Dal and the government.

"We don't want the Congress to take advantage of the situation, and, therefore, we continue to support the state government and the party," he said.

UNI

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