BARNALA, India: Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala, Chief Minister of Punjab, claimed that his Dal would get more than 80% votes in S.G.P.C. election. Barnala ‘was addressing a religious gathering at Dhuri30km from Barnala. He told the audience that when the Central Government levied an extra load of 350 crores of rupees not a single party raised objection but Wien the Punjab government increased the bus fare, they are threatened with gherao. Without naming Badal and Tohra, Chief Minister criticized them and said that they have done nothing to free the Sikh detainees and rehabilitate the soldiers who left barracks. On the contrary they are creating a situation so as to block their release and rehabilitation, Barnala disclosed that 2300 soldiers who left barracks have been rehabilitated. Efforts are being made to release the 400 sentenced soldiers. He further disclosed that at that time 47 soldiers were killed. Their families are being brought under group pensions. He reiterated that his government is under no danger and is also not a minority government. The session of the Punjab Assembly is being summoned in mid-December and at that time it will be known who is in majority.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 21, 1986
