JALANDHAR: The Shiromani Akali ‘Dal (Mann) will not water down the Amritsar Declaration which is the political goal of the party, in order to teach an electoral understanding with ‘any other party for the ensuing general elections. Stating this at a press Conference here last week, president of the SAD (M), Mr, Simnanject Singh Mann said that the party has kept its ‘options open on the question of seeking poll partners, but the Amritsar Declaration will be the base, he stressed.

The party has decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections from all the districts of Punjab, Chandigarh, Sirsa, Kurukshetra and Gananagar, he added, Coming to any kind of electoral understanding will be discussed by the Political Affairs Committee of the party which is due to be formed shortly. When asked whether SAD (M) is likely to ally with the Congress (D) led by Mr. Jagmeet Singh Brar in Punjab, he said “everything is possible but only after it is discussed at the PAC Mr, Mann said that his party would celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Shiromani Akali Dal later this year after the SAD (B) finishes with its work.

Announcing the names of the district presidents of the party, ie. said that the party’s working committee “which will be much smaller than Mr. Prakash Singh Badal’s” will also be announced soon. A meeting of the party is being Held on January 25, where the executive committees of the youth wing will be announced, along with pereoainng district presidents. A constitution of the party’s youth ‘wing is also being drafted by a committee headed by the convener, Professor Jag Mohan Singh, he added.

Mr. Mann described the latest expansion of the BRR Ministry as a “move without direction,” He said, contrary to Mr, Brar’s earlier stand; it has been done on the directions of the Center. Hesaid that farmers in Punjab were in a bad shape, as they are. not getting remunerative prices for the produce, Mr, Mann demanded that farmers bo paid support prices according to international market price for the wheat crop, which he said is About 200 dollars per ton of Rs. 740 per quintal.

Criticizing the statement of the Director General of Punjab police, Mr. O.P., Sharma, Mr. Mann said that Pakistan had a hand in Punjab’s activities, Ho said that the state’s police chief should not be giving political Statements, which was the prerogative of political leaders.

The district presidents of the SAD (M) are according to the boundaries of some police districts and not only revenue districts, The names are as follows: Fatehgarh Sahib, Harbans Singh Shahidgarh; Patiala (rural), Nishan Singh Gharam; Sangrur, Prof Sukhjinder Singh; Mansa, Ajitinder Singh Mofar, Mukisar, Rattan Singh Ladhuwala; Moga, Rabindeer Singh Brar,! udhiana (urban), Anoop Singh Singh Kare Kaardula, age Sap ingh Kaura; . Jagir Si Wadala; Ferozepur (rural), chan Singh Ghangan; Ferozepur (urban), Pritam Singh; Chandigarh Prof Bhupinder Singh.

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 17, 1996