CHANDIGARH: The latest Akali move to reunify the rival factions suffered a serious setback today when the Akali Dal (L) expelled former Finance Minister Balwant Singh from the primary membership of the party.
A meeting of the district jathedars of the party held here with the acting party chief Mr. Tota Singh. In the chair described Mr, Balwant Singh as a “traitor” to the Sikh cause and accused him of having supported “Operation Bluestar” at the Golden Temple complex in June, 1984. A letter purported to have been written by Mr. Balwant Singh to Mrs. Indira Gandhi on June 9, 1984, in this connection was distributed among newsmen by Mr. Tota Singh.
The acting Akali Dal (L) Chief said the letter was recently discovered by a person by the name of Mr. Ajit Singh who had forwarded it to the Akali Takht Chief, Mr. Darshan Singh with a copy to the Akali Dal (L), Addressed to “Most respected Madam Prime Minister”, the letter inter alia said. “As desired by the authorities here, I am giving this undertaking to you that I will refrain from active politics of the Akali Dal and support the government action within the limits of my resources.
“As you are aware I have in the recent past concentrated my work to my business activities and to setting up of new industrial units. Have never supported any of the actions or ideas of Mr. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and undertake to continue to oppose him and his men. I strongly think that Government action in raiding the Golden Temple to flush out Bhindranwale and his terrorists has been very timely and most desirable.”
The letter was marked “personal and confidential.”
Article extracted from this publication >> March 17, 1989
