COUTESY HT OCT 21

Will explore legal options if guv nod doesn’t come: CM
HT Correspondent

letterschd@hindustantimes.com

CHANDIGARH : Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh said his government is open to explore all options and take available legal remedies if the governor does not give his nod to the bills passed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday.

Amarinder, who led Punjab MLAs cutting across party lines, except that of the BJP, and submitted the assembly bills to governor VP Singh Badnore seeking an urgent nod to nullify the Central government’s agriculture laws.

“But I am sure the governor will listen to the people of Punjab. If he does not, we will go to any extent to save the farmers and agriculture. It is just the first step of this fight,” the CM after meeting the governor.

Flanked by leader of opposition Harpal Cheema and Shiromani Akali Dal legislative party leader Sharanjeet Dhillon, Amarinder said it was a historical moment to tell the Narendra Modi government that all parties in Punjab are together in this fight.

The BJP’s two MLAs were not part of the delegation as they also did not attend the assembly proceedings.

“We all also plan to meet the President and have sought an appointment from him between November 3 and 5. All Punjab MLAs will go to meet him,” he said.

About the possibility of the Centre imposing President’s rule in the state to scuttle the attempts to negate the farm laws, Amarinder said, “Let us wait and see. We will move step by step. But if the situation comes to such a pass, the Centre would not need to dismiss me as I am carrying my resignation in my pocket to safeguard the interests of Punjab and its farmers