NATHANA, Bathinda: After a prolonged period of political hibernation, Punjab Chief Minister H.S. Brar today accused Shiromani Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal and the SGPC chief G.S. Tohra of their links with terrorists leading to a 10year bloody era in the state. In an apparent bid to woe the electorate with an eye on the Assembly elections due in February, Brar flaunted the peace card, lambasting the Akalis of mealy-mouthed approach towards condemnation of terrorism. The Chief Minister was addressing an impressive public gathering in this village after laying foundation stone of an Rs 25 lakh rural sports stadium. He also distributed loan checks under various financial schemes for the uplift of the poor. For the first time after taking over the reins of the state, the Chief Minister clearly said that he was taking the flame of peace and progress ahead which was started by his predecessor Beant Singh. “We still ensure that the peace brought about by Martyr Beant Singh is safeguarded for the times to come,” he said.
He cautioned the public that young for Badal Tohra combine would mean an open invitation to terrorism. “Did the Akali sever utter a word of sympathy when innocents were shot dead in buses or parks,” he asked. It was for the masses to judge the five years of Congress rule and the previous reign of the Akalis. Quoting reports by intelligence agencies, the Chief Minister said that the Akalis had not only been supporting terrorists but had also been providing them shelter.
On water dispute with Haryana, the Chief Minister once again reiterated his stand that not a single drop of water would be allowed to pass through SYL. “Let us calmly assess the availability of water for irrigation in the state before arguing for sharing it. When the needs of the State were not being met how water could be given to others,” he said. He clarified that the Rao Government had only deferred the recovery of Rs 6,600 crore Spent on the law and order problem and had not waived it off. The present Deve Gowda Government was not insisting on early repayment of the loan which was being resisted by the Punjab government.
Later, talking to media he claimed that their there was total unity in the state unit of the party which was geared to meet the Akalis head on in the coming elections. He said that he respected the decisions of the party high command and expressed satisfaction at the functioning of Ambika Soni the newly appointed PPCC chief. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Education Minister Avtar Singh Brar and former ministers Gulzar Singh and Harbans Singh Sidhu. Aytar Singh Brar disclosed that appointments to the vacancies in the government schools would be done by November end.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 30, 1996
