Booked, Shiv Lal Doda disowned by parties

Chandigarh : Political parties seem to have disowned liquor baron Shiv Lal Doda after he was booked in the gruesome murder case of Dalit youth Bhim Tank. The youth was killed on Doda’s sprawling farmhouse on the outskirts of Abohar.
The Akalis, who have been defending him so far, have disowned him. Doda has been referred to as an Akali Dal halqa in charge in the media with his picture being pasted, alongside Ferozepur Akali MP Sher Singh Gubaya, outside the SAD office in Abohar.
Akali Dal spokesperson Daljeet Cheema said Shiv was never a member of their party. “Abohar is a BJP constituency. As per our understanding with our alliance partner BJP, we have not posted any halqa in charge in any constituency represented by the BJP.”
On Shiv Lal Doda having been described as the area development head on some foundation stones, Abohar circle in charge Ashok Ahuja insisted that Doda was a BJP member. He said Doda’s picture was pasted outside the SAD office because he was a prominent leader of the region. The BJP has also stated that Doda wasn’t a member of the party even though documents showing his membership of the party are being circulated. Tarun Chugh, BJP national secretary, who is also spearheading the membership drive of the party in the region, said the party had nothing to do with Doda. “Doda being a BJP member is false propaganda. He was never our member. He sought a ticket in 2012, but it was denied to him,” he said. On the alleged membership receipts bearing the name of Shiv Lal, his son Gagan Doda and nephew Amit Doda (a co-accused in Bhim Tank’s murder), Chugh said, “The receipts in the name of Shiv Lal and Amit Doda are of collection funds.”
Though Doda has also been linked with the Congress, senior party leader Sunil Jakhar has disowned him and led the attack against him.