SAD MLA backtracks on decision to join JJP

The U-turn comes just 2 days after Balkaur Singh met Ajay Chautala and offered ‘unconditional support’

Due to some problem, Balkaur Singh will remain a SAD MLA. But he will support the JJP ideologically.

NISHAN SINGH, JJP’S state president

HISAR/AMBALA: Two days after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)’S lone MLA Balkaur Singh, who is representing the Kalanwali seat, joined Dushyant Chautala’s Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), he took a U-turn saying that he had only accepted the party’s flag and not formally joined it.

Asserting that he was a part of the SAD and would continue to represent the people of the constituency on the party’s ticket, Balkaur said, “Ajay Chautala wanted to meet me at my residence. Soon after we had tea, he presented me the party’s flag and I accepted it as an honour as I believe in the principles and ideologies of former deputy prime minister Devi Lal. But that does not mean that I joined the party. I am with SAD and will represent the party in Haryana Vidhan Sabha.”

Reiterating that he will ideologically support the JJP, Balkaur said, “I will be standing with the Chautala family whenever they want me.”

However when asked about his plans for the upcoming assembly elections he stated that he is yet to decide on which party ticket he will be contesting. The JJP had on Sunday claimed the support of Balkaur after the party’s patron Ajay Chautala met him at his residence and presented him a party flag. But his U-turn comes as a first jolt the newly formed party that currently has the support of three Indian National Lok Dal legislators— Uklana MLA Anoop Dhanak, Dadri MLA Rajdeep Phogat, Dabwali MLA Naina Chautala.

When contacted JJP’S state president Nishan Singh said, “Due to some problem, Balkaur Singh will remain a SAD MLA. But he will support the JJP ideologically. Our fold is in the process being registered, so his position as an MLA couldn’t be reflected as a JJP MLA.”

SAD ISSUES STATEMENT

Later in the evening, the SAD issued a statement stating that MLA Balkaur Singh is a devoted soldier of the party and that he did not leave the party to join any other political outfit.

‘CONTAMINATION AFFECTING CROPS’

Meanwhile, farmers in the area complain that the discharge from the factory is affecting the soil fertility, thereby affecting their yield.

“There is a drain of polluted water that keeps flowing throughout the year. During rain, it often overflows and the water from the drain reaches our fields and damaged the crop. But there is nobody to listen to our problems,” said Ram Karan Singh, a farmer of Bal Jattan village.

“Though we do not have any lab report to prove our claims, we cannot drink the water of the area,” he added.

Indian Oil’s corporate communication manager DC Verma, however, refuted allegations about the refinery was causing pollution in the area.

VILLAGERS HAD RAISED ISSUE WITH NGT

The villagers led by Satpal Singh, sarpanch, Singhpura Sithna gram panchayat in Panipat, had taken up the issue with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last year.

They alleged that the refinery is polluting the air and water in the area and the analysers set up in the area to measure carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide were not functioning since 2010.

Talking to Hindustan Times, Satpal Singh said, “We took up the matter with the NGT after