Replying to media persons, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said here today, ``It was but natural for the SAD to withdraw the support on the Udham Singh Nagar issue if the sentiments of the people are not honoured by the Vajpayee government.''

He however hurriedly added that since SAD was a democratic party, a final decision would be taken in its working committee meeting fixed for October 6. Earlier, Badal addressed about 200 residents of Udham Singh Nagar who met him at his official residence here to apprise him of the hardships being faced by them on the issue and to seek strong steps to get the district excluded from Uttaranchal Pradesh.

Badal said that the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttaranchal was not ``constitutional'' going by the principles adopted while carvingout new states. All necessary steps in support of the residents of the district would be taken, come what may be the cost, he added.

He explained that the demand for excluding Udham Singh Nagar from the new state did not pertain to one community as the district was inhabited by Bengalis, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus as well. They had worked hard for decades to convert wasteland into fertile farms but were now being made homeless.

Badal who is also the SAD president condemned registering of cases under National Security Act (NSA) against 26 leading farmers of the district by the UP government. As many as 325 residents had been booked earlier by the UP Government during their agitation when railways and roads were blocked and markets were forced to close.

Badal assured the gathering that he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to get the cases cancelled.

Badal said that various constitutional experts contacted by the Punjab Government on the constitutional positionof excluding Udham Singh Nagar from Uttaranchal Pradesh had supported the claim of the residents. They had based their opinion on principles and legal position governing creation of new states.

He agreed with the visitors that if Haridwar could be excluded from the new state, the same yard stick should be applied on Udham Singh Nagar. The political affairs committee of the SAD had earlier passed a resolution demanding retention of Udham Singh Nagar in UP. A veiled threat to withdraw support to the coalition government was also issued. But, the BJP leadership at the Centre had stuck to its stand leading to uneasiness between the Punjab unit of the BJP and the SAD-coalition partners in the state.

Harbhajan Singh Cheema who led the residents said that the only ray of hope was discernible from the SAD which was supporting their cause. The adamant attitude of the BJP government on the issue would not help the country in maintaining peace in any way, he added.