CHANDIGARH: The Akali Dal chief, Mr. Simranjit Singh Mann, declared that his party would extend support to Mr. Devi Lal if the former Deputy Prime Minister wanted it.

In a statement issued here, Mr. Mann said he had advised Mr. Devi Lal to be on guard against the strong anti-farmer lobby in the Centre. “Unfortunately he did not heed my advice and started playing politics in Punjab by giving preference to certain Akali factions…”

Mr Mann said he saw danger to the country’s unity because of the machinations of those “who claimed to be the descendants of Motilal Nehru”. They had already let down the country in various defence deals including Bofors, HDW and substandard equipment. He, however, said his party “would not allow Mr Devi Lal to stew in his own juice. If he wants our help, he should come out and seek it.”

The Akali leader also said the country should be prepared for 3 midterm poll to Parliament. And this should serve as a warning to those also who had been elected to the Lok Sabha” on the Akali ticket but are looking elsewhere.”

The Akali Dal chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal described the dismissal of Mr Devi Lalas a challenge to the farmers of India. The former Deputy Prime Minister was one of the biggest champions of the cause of farmers and had done a lot for them during his short stint as Union Agriculture Minister. Mr Badal said although it was the internal affair of the NF government, the fact remained it was after a long time that a genuine farmer had become the Agriculture Minister of the country.

The Akali Dal (B) leader, Mr Sukhjinder Singh, said it was the beginning of the end of the NF government at the center. It was unfortunate that the most elderly and respectable leader and architect of the present government had been eased out in this manner at the behest of communal and ant rural forces. His ouster had given a setback to the down trodden and Turalities, particularly the farming community. He said Mr Devi Lal had struggled throughout his life for democracy, freedom and upliftmant of the poor and was a truthful politician which proved to be his: enemy. He felt this was the Prime Minister of his mentor which was bound to cause him great trouble in days to come.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 24, 1990