A day after Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking clemency for Khalistani militant Devenderpal Singh Bhullar, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the government would examine their demand.
“We will examine the demand of the Punjab Chief Minister,” Shinde told reporters on Tuesday. Sources said the government may appoint a medical board to examine the mental health of Bhullar, who is stated to be mentally unstable.
Meanwhile, the issue has highlighted the fissures within the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine in the state. State BJP president Kamal Sharma said, “The SAD and BJP are two different parties. We share common viewpoints on a number of issues. But over certain issues, they have their own views and we have our own. We should respect each other’s views. The verdict on Bhullar should be respected. The BJP will not support any mercy petition for Bhullar.”