NEW DELHI: The crises in the Janata Dal blew over with the resignation of Om Parkash Chautala. The new leader of the Haryana legislature party is likely to be elected in a day or two. Although the last word on the crises was yet to come because the price which Devi Lal Deputy Prime Minister was demanding for sacrificing his son has not been paid to him. Devi Lal made it clear to the 5 leaders mediating that Arun Nehru, Arif Mohammad Khan and ‘Satpal Malik all senior union cabinet ministers too must be made to quit for deepening the crisis by submitting their resignations.
I am happy to announce that Chautala has resigned on my request in the interest of the party,” Janata Dal chief S.R Bommai told a news conference.
Chautala’s resignation was unconditional Bommai said. Asked about the protest resignations of 18 central ministers, Bommai said it was for the prime minister to decide whether to accept or reject them. It was his prerogative he said.
Bommai said Chautala would continue as general secretary of the Janata Dal post to which he was nominated last week. Bommai congratulated Chautala for being a “disciplined” party worker. This decision was announced after the crucial party political affairs panel meeting which was not attended by Devi Lal, Chautala and Chandrasekhar. Besides VP Singh those who attended were Bommai, Gujral Gurupad swami, Yashwant Sinha Jaipal Reddy, Fernandez Biju Patnaik, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rontray, Mufti Sayeed and! Dandavatetion on Thursday plunging the national front government into political turmoil highlighted by the Designation of premier VP Singh and 18 of his ministerial colleagues.
Devi Lal, who had earlier made the resignation of Chautala conditional on the dropping of three ministers, said he would abide by the party decision though he considered it unjust.
Devi Lal climbed down on the issue of the three ministers; resignation after Premier Singh rejected outright any linkage with the Chautala issue.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 20, 1990
