LUDHIANA: The Union Agriculture Minister Balram Jakhar maintained that elections in Punjab would be held as scheduled irrespective of the boycott by any or all Akali factions. He indicated that the formal announcement of the election program would be made in a day or two.

Jakhar told newsmen here that the government was hopeful of the Akalis participation in the elections. The response of Akali faction led by Surjit Singh Barnala and Captain Amarinder Singh had been positive he said.

The minister asked the Akali leaders to exercise their constitutional right of contesting an election and extend their cooperation in restoration of democracy in Punjab. He made it clear that the government would not interfere in the working of any government that came to power in Punjab and all apprehensions that the Union government would not let an Akali government work freely were unpounded. Jakhar added that the Akali leaders were in the habit of blaming the government for their own weaknesses and incompetence. The fact was that whenever they (Alkalis) came to power there was in lighting to such an extent that their government invariably fell.

The All India Congress (I) Committee general secretary and in charge of Punjab affairs Rajindra Kumari Baipai who was Present on this occasion said the people of any state could not be deprived of their constitutional right of having their own elected government.

Rajpai asserted that bullets and violence had never solved any problem and those opposed to elections should give a second thought to their unreasonable stand in the greater interest of the people of Punjab and the country as a whole.

Asked whether the Union government intended announcing a package deal for Punjab to create a congenial atmosphere the AICC general secretary said the need of the hour was not a package deal but a deal of hearts. She said development and peace were inter-related and there could be no development without peace in any region. She made it clear that there was no question of “common candidate” and the Congress (I) would contest all the assembly and Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 24, 1992