CHANDIGARH India: A powerful group in the Akali Dal (L) is asserting pressure. on Surjit Singh Barnala to step down from the leadership of Akali Dal (L) to pave the way for unity with the U.A.D. So far, Barnala has resisted the pressure and has been holding the meetings of party and legislature wings to seek vote of confidence in his leadership.
But some leaders including Prem Singh Chandumajra, President of Youth Wing of the party has supported the unity move. But some supporters of Barnala are not prepared to throw him in political exile for the sake of unity. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Barnala is toying with the idea of contesting Rajya Sabha seat to enable him to shift to Delhi, so as to create the atmosphere for unity. It is understood that a three member committee instituted by Akali Dal, sometime earlier, proved to be a non-starter.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 12, 1988
