CHANDIGARH: The governor of Punjab, Mr.. S.S. Ray, Today predicted a “qualitative change” in the political situation in the troubled State after the Lok Sabha poll next Month paving the Way for elections to the State Assembly and installation of a Popular Ministry by April May next.
Addressing a crowded news conference here, Mr. Ray said whatever might be the outcome of the Lok Sabha poll and irrespective of the party which might win the elections, the situation in the troubled State would definitely undergo a change.
Asked why elections to the Pun Jab Assembly were not being held along with the Lok Sabha poll, the governor said the two were separate issues. The Lok Sabha elections would not lead to any kind of political instability in the country. So far as the Punjab assembly was concerned, the political solution in the State was so fluid that elections here would not lead to the formation of a stable Government. “I am convinced that elections at this stage in Punjab will not produce a stable Government. There is no point in first holding the poll to the State Assembly and then imposing President’s rule again…”, he said.
Another reason why the Lok Sabha elections were being held but not the Punjab Assembly elections was that candidates seeking election from 13 parliamentary seats would require only limited protection while those contesting from 117 constituencies of the State Assembly would tie down thousands of securityment.
The Governor, however, gave an assurance that the Lok Sabha poll in Punjab would be held without much trouble. Answering a question he said neither he nor his wife, Maya, would contest the Lok Sabha election. Answering another query, he said the Government had no plans yet to release the Akali leaders still under detention. “Ask them if they want to be released”, he told a journalist who persisted with his question.
When a correspondent pointed out that the grounds for detention of Mr.. Parkash Singh Badal and Mr.. Ujagar Singh Sekhawan were the same as those of Mr. Sukhjinder Singh which had been quashed by the Supreme Court, Mr.. Ray said: “No, they have been detained on different grounds”. The governor, however, did not give any details.
He was happy to note that none of the political parties had opposed the Government’s decision to hold elections in Punjab on the ground of law and order situation. He was amused by political forecasters who had been predicting that the Lok Sabha elections might be post-pond after imposing emergency in Punjab $Fl. Mr. Ray pointed out that during the Barnala regime, three seats had fallen vacant due to the death of MLAs. But by elections were not held because of the bad law and order situation. Things had definitely looked up since then.
He recalled that when he had come to Punjab as the Governor, as many as 14 towns were under curfew. During the past one and a half year, no curfew had been imposed anywhere in the State, except for a brief one in Moga.
The Governor said he was thankful to the Centre for appointing two advisers. One of them would take up his assignment to morrow while the other one was expected to assume office the day after. In reply to a question, he said there was no move to appoint any public man as chairman of the semi Government corporations and boards.
Answering another question, he said no decision had yet been taken as regards the grant of further extension in service to Mr. RP. Ojha as the Chief Secretary. “Let us see”, he added.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 3, 1989
