NEW DELHI: The statement of deputy prime minister Devi Lal calling on the Congress I to keep away from the Jan 11 Ludhiana rally “if it had any self-respect” may lead to a crisis in the National Front govt.
According to newspaper reports in Delhi, observers believe the remarks of Devi Lal published in a few newspapers and reiteration of his views at a public rally at Jaipur may cause considerable damage to efforts of the prime minister to evolve a national consensus.
Although JD official spokesman Jaipal Reddy tried to water down the serious political implications of Devi Lal’s statement by saying that the deputy prime minister was merely deprecating the role of the Congress I in messing up the Punjab problem, there were few within or outside the party willing to buy the theory.
Reddy said the government was for Congress I participation and said Devi Lal had expressed his personal views on the short sightedness of that party on Punjab. Several prominent JD leaders on the condition of anonymity told newsmen that Devi Lal’s statements were in violation of the principles of collective leadership. This would damage to the government move on Punjab, they said.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 12, 1990
