NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister, P.V Narasimha Rao reiterated here that he had never suggested any package on Punjab. “My only package, again and again, was, based on Rajiv Longowal Accord.”
Rao said this the first time a mention of a package was made some time back. “It was not my statement. It was by other leaders” he said, obviously referring to his Home Minister, S.B.Chavan, without naming him. It was Chavan who in Fatehgarh in April, had claimed that a package was ready for the Prime Minister’s approval and announcement, However Rao said, “I do not go by labels. I go by content.”
Addressing his first press conference as Prime Minister, Rao ruled out imposition of any solution by the Center in the state. He said though Haryana and Punjab, both had Congress-I government, it was the people of all concerned states who had to find an acceptable solution; It had to cut across party lines.
He said there were many outstanding issues which were being examined and the Government was in touch with concerned state governments on Punjab. Not a week passed when Punjab was not discussed. This issue had so far no solution, The Prime Minister said he was hopeful that in the new context of a popular government, people’s aspirations would be met. It had to be a wide spectrum of issues and problems that must be dealt with. “We are confident that soon or later we shall be able to solve these problems” though it was difficult to give a time-frame.
Replying to another question, Rao said holding of the elections in Punjab against very heavy odds was in itself a positive development, “If anyone thought the advent of a popular government will” stop killings, he was not being realistic.” Killings were still on, he said, and even the ministers were facing threats to their lives from militants. One of them narrowly escaped death while moving around meeting people but the people were going to the elected representatives to solve their problems. A process had started to create bridges between the Government and then people, the Prime Minister added. This he said had boosted the confidence of the people.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 10, 1994
