CHANDIGARH: The executive committee of Akali Dal (Badal), which met here Oct 13 failed to take any decision about its future line of action in the wake of the 76th amendment to the Constition for extending President’s Rule in Punjab for six months beyond Nov 11, this year.
The meeting which continued for more than 5 hours was attended among others by Mr Parkash’ Singh Badal, Mr Kuldip Singh, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Sukhjinder Singh, Mr Gurdey Singh Badal, Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Mr P.S.Majitha, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhinder, Mr Sher Singh Doomcheni, and Capt Amarinder Singh.
The SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, could not attend the meeting because of his wife’s illness. Also absent was Mr Ravi Inder Singh. Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, patron of the party, too, could not come here.
The executive committee authorised Mr Badal to call the meeting again before or after Diwali. Members intend that any stand taken by the party should be discussed there before a final decision was taken. Most of the speakers at the meeting were critical of the functioning of the National Front Government. It was felt that the present Government was no different than the Congress (I) govt. Serious note was taken of the stand by all political parties, except Akali Dals, in getting together to deny the state a democratic setup.
The speakers felt that the people of Punjab had lost faith in the union govt and as such demanding Assembly elections or agitating for the elections would serve no useful purpose. They were convinced that the Dal (Badal) should come out openly in support of the militants. The issue about the mode of extending support, however, could not be discussed. The members wanted that unlike the past, the party must take a firm policy decision and should stand by it.
The youth wing of the Dal (Badal) convened a meeting of its executive at Jalandhar on Oct 15. The youth wing is likely to come ‘out openly in support of the militants.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 19, 1990
