New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today (Dec 18, 2003) demanded an explanation from Congress president Sonia Gandhi as to who was telling the truth in Punjab in the ongoing tussle between Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his party colleague Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.

"Even though Singh and Bhattal may describe their quarrel as that between brother and sister and leave it to party president, the charges of corruption being levelled against Singh need to be explained," party spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters.

Bhattal may be asked to subsequently keep silent on the corruption charges against the Chief Minister, but "the nation cannot keep silent. The truth should come out as to who is telling the truth. Merely giving Ministerial berths to keep people quiet would not suffice", he said.

Expressing happiness over Parliament passing the Anti-Defection Bill fast, Malhotra said this would further strengthen Democracy.

PTI