PHAGWARA: The president of the Punjab unit of the BJP, Madan Mohan Mittal Saturday said elections without the participation of the Alkalis would be a “meaningless” exercise.
Talking to reporters here, he said the Alkalis should make a positive contribution in restoring the democratic process in Punjab.
The BJP leader appealed to the Akali leadership not to boycott the poll, saying it would neither help them nor Punjab and its people. He urged the Alkalis to “dissociate” themselves from secessionists and take part in the elections.
Mittal said the Congress (I) Government at the Center did not seem sincere in solving the Punjab problem.
“The Center’s main agenda now is elections in Punjab”. There cent visit, of Minister of State for Home M.M. Jacob was also aimed at assessing the prospects of the Congress (I) in the elections and planning suitable strategy.
Commenting on the all-party meeting convened by the Center in Delhi, the BJP leader said the Prime Minister should visit Punjab and meet people living in affected areas to know their grievances if the Center was genuinely interested in solving the problem.
The state general secretary of the party, Jagdish Rai Monga, who was also present, urged the Congress (I) to “shun the politics of hatred and political selfishness” and work for protecting the “national” interests in Punjab.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 13, 1991
