Amritsar: A day after an Ordinance to prevent disqualification of certain convicted lawmakers was approved by the Union Cabinet, Shiromani Akali Dal on Wednesday lashed out at the UPA government and accused it of trying to "bail out its corruption-tainted leaders" through this decision.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and SAD president Sukhbir Badal said here that the decision was taken "despite clear directions of Supreme Court that elected representatives facing convictions cannot contest elections."
He was talking to reporters after laying foundation stone of road projects here.
"The Congress-led UPA`s decision to pass an ordinance to negate the apex court order is a clear indication that this scam-ridden government is eager to save its tainted leaders and allies," Sukhbir said.
An Ordinance to protect convicted MPs and MLAs from facing immediate disqualification was approved today by the Union Cabinet, in effect negating an order of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court on July 10 had ruled that an MP or an MLA would stand disqualified immediately if convicted by a court for crimes with punishment of two years or more.
Sukhbir said people of the country are "seething with anger" and the UPA government will have to face their wrath in the next general elections.
He said like the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Gujarat, Congress has no future in Punjab also.
"These states are an example that once the Congress remained out of power for consecutive two terms, it was never able to make a comeback," Sukhbir said.
Referring to recent racial attack on a Sikh in the US, Sukhbir said such repeated incidents abroad reflect "sheer failure" of UPA in protecting the Sikh culture and heritage in a country which has a Sikh Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) and Sikh Minister of state for External Affairs (Preneet Kaur).
Sukhbir said the NDA, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, will be able to safeguard the rights of Indians abroad.
PTI
