'Dera controversy religious in nature not political'

HAMIRPUR (HP): Hoping the stand off between Sikh's highest religious body Akal Takht and Dera Sacha Sauda to end in next six to seven days, cricketer-turned-BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday said that the crisis is religious in nature and the politicians should keep away from it.

"The present crisis in Punjab is of religious nature and the political persons shall not interfere into it," said Sidhu while canvassing for Prem Kumar Dhumal, BJP's candidate in the Hamirpur Lok Sabha bypolls.

Refuting any 'confrontation' between the ruling coalition partners, BJP and Akalis, over Dera controversy, Sidhu said, "Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is the undisputed leader of the coalition and his decision is binding on all."

Sidhu, Lok Sabha member from Amritsar, reposed faith in Badal's effort to resolve the ongoing imbroglio and hailed the decision to not to vacate Deras as a positive step in this direction.

Badal has already held discussions with leaders of Sikh community and other political parties, he said adding he was sure that the will of the CM would prevail on all as he (Badal) was respected by all in the state.

The cricketer-turned politician, however, refused to comment on Dera approaching the Supreme Court over the controversy on the ground that the matter was sub-judice.

Sidhu underlined the need for peace in Punjab to bring more investments in the state.