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Akalis change stand, decide to back central rule in Bihar

In an about-turn, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said he fully "supports the decision of the Union Cabinet to impose President's rule in Bihar".

Talking to reporters in Chandigarh, the chief minister said, "The decision to impose President's rule in that state has been taken in the interest of protecting the lives of innocent people who were being massacred by private armies."

Badal, however, said he and his party is against the use of Article 356 for dismissing any state government.

Earlier in the day, Badal, who is also president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, a constituent of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition at the Centre, had said his party would oppose the imposition of President's rule in Bihar.

"Whether it is Bihar or any other state in the country, I and my party will always oppose Article 356," he had declared.

The volte-face came soon after the Congress announced that it would vote against the motion in Parliament to approve the imposition of President's rule in Bihar.

The SAD has eight members in the Lok Sabha.

UNI

The Bihar state page

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