Chandigarh, June 12: The NDA government at the Centre would take "some action" against the Congress government in Punjab if Shiromani Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal is arrested, Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said here. Dhindsa, who is also general secretary of SAD, said he had taken up the issue of Badal's possible arrest with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and NDA convenor and Defence Minister George Fernandes.

"Fernandes assured me of some definite action against Amarinder Singh's government in case Badal is arrested," Dhindsa, who holds the chemicals and fertilizers portfolio, said after attending a party meeting here chaired by Badal.

"Even Vajpayee expressed shock after hearing that Amarinder Singh government is contemplating Badal's arrest," he added.

Dhindsa did not spell out what action NDA would take against the Punjab government in the event of Badal's arrest but said the day Badal or any of his family members was arrested, sad workers would organise road-blockades at sub divisional level.

Bureau Report