Bhattal not to quit, attacks Punjab govt

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal yesterday ruled out resigning from her post following the decision of a local court to frame charges against her in a case of alleged misappropriation of relief funds and accused her party government in the state of "failing" to protect her. "It is a formality. They (charges) were to be framed," the deputy chief minister told reporters outside the court.

Launching a scathing attack on the Punjab government, Bhattal, who is also Agriculture Minister, said, "The public prosecutor worked against her. However, I never expected any help from the government at any stage."

"It is unfortunate that the government did not cooperate in my case," she said adding "it (government) even failed to take necessary steps to protect me."

Bhattal evaded a reply to a question whether she would approach higher court. She said the charges would not have any affect on the party in the Lok Sabha polls.

"Various courts have already framed charges against Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani), Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. This is not going to have any bearing on the Lok Sabha polls."

A local court framed charges against Bhattal in a case of alleged misappropriation of relief funds cases during her tenure as the chief minister in 1996.

Bhattal's counsel submitted that the case could not be made against the accused as the amount had gone in the pocket of needy persons.

"These people who have received the amount are identified and they need to be examined and further investigation is needed in the case," the counsel for Bhattal pleaded.

However, the judge observed that this contention had been rejected by the high court.