NEW DELHI: Election to the Punjab Assembly are unlikely to be held before November 10, the deadline for the current spell of Presidential rule which was imposed in May 1987.

Prime Minister V.P. Singh is likely to set out his proposal to fix a date sometime in early 1991 when he holds consultations with his government’s alliance partners as well as leaders of the opposition later this week.

A definite decision about the election will be taken at the weekend, Prime Minister Singh indicated talking to newsmen on his way back from Madras.

V.P. Singh admitted that his decision not to hold the Punjab poll within six months of the national front government’s coming to power was a mistake “for which I will not pardon myself and I publicly acknowledge my mistake”.

The Prime Minister said there was “very good atmosphere in Punjab. Sikhs had expressed full confidence in the national front government, But a golden opportunity was missed”, he told newsmen aboard an Indian plane.

“Now the situation is not the same (as it prevailed within six months of the national front government’s formation). But there is a general feeling that we will have to go for elections. It is a question of timing. Now I have to consult friendly parties which feel strongly and whose views cannot be brushed aside. We cannot lock ourselves to President’s rule indefinitely”.

Replying to a question as to why Congress (I) was playing hide and seek, the Prime Minister said it was for tactical reasons. Without the government’s views being known that party could not make up its mind. We will help them.

The Prime Minister reiterated his government’s firm resolve to implement the August 7 notification on Mandal Commission without any dilution or departure. He appeared far more confident after attending the Madras rally where lakhs of Dalit’s and backward castes came to listen to him.

It is evident that the Prime Minister’s hands are full with the Janam bhoomi Babri controversy in view of the Hindu fundamentalist organizations threat of demolish raising there a temple in the name of Rama, a Hindu god. The deadline for the project is October 30. The Punjab poll postponement appears to be primarily guided by this.

Congress (I) circles told WSN Service that they would not allow a smooth sailing for the V.P Singh government on the Punjab issue. Senior leaders reached Chant Garh to prepare party’s list of candidates for the election. Rajiv Gandhi is reported to have made it a point to force V.P. Singh to approach him with a begging bowl and perhaps concede certain conditions.

Will V.P. oblige the Congress (2)? He does not have high stakes in Punjab while the Congress (I) has. The Prime Minister may well order an early poll should the Congress (I) forces the Prime Minister’s hands.

Senior party leaders including Chandrasekhar, who had questioned the utility of Friday’s meeting, Orissa chief minister Biju Patnaik, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Gujarat chief minister, Chimanbhai Patel, did not attend the meeting.

Former deputy premier Devi Lal was also not present as he is away on a tour of Rajasthan.

Reddy said the prime minister apprised the meeting of the discussions he and Bommai had with leaders of various political parties and the Punjab MPs belonging to various parties.

He also told them of the cabinet views on the issue which favored elections before the expiry of president’s rule on November 10. The Punjab Janata Dal’s view favoring elections were also conveyed to the meeting.

At the outset, Bommai read out Chandrasekhar’s letter to him criticizing the leaking of the cabinet views on Punjab before the PAC was to meet.

Bommai explained that the notice to convene the PAC meeting was issued a day prior to the cabinet meeting. V.P. Singh clarified that the cabinet had not taken a decision. Favoring of elections was only the dominant view that emerged at the cabinet meeting, he added.

Singh will hold another round of talks on the possibility of holding assembly elections in Punjab with the BJP, CPIM and CPI following an accord in the federal cabinet on the need for polls in the state at once.

The supporting parties the BJP, CPI (M), and CPI during the prime minister’s consultations with them, strongly opposed elections saying the situation was not conducive to holding polls.

 

Article extracted from this publication >> September 21, 1990