Motion to be moved in Parliament by United Front Government, formed with the support of Congress party.
SAD president Parkash Singh Badal, after the crucial Working Committee meeting of his party, told newsmen here last week that his party would, however, have no hesitation in extending support Deve Gowila Government on certain particular issues ‘which will be in the interest of Punjab.
Badal said that party Working Committee had endorsed the decision of extending unconditional support to BJP Government. He said that all the Members had appreciated the decision. He announced that in forthcoming Assembly elections, all attempts will be made to form an alliance with both Bahujan Samaj Party and BJP. _In reply to a question, Badal said that his party was very clear on the issue of ‘opposing Deve Gowda Government. He said that United Front had no moral right to form government at Center because all regional parties, which have now become part of Front, had contested against Congress. He said that all their MP”s had won by defeating Congress candidates, which “was a mandate against the latter. He asserted that MP’s had no moral right to belie the verdict of people. .
Badal observed that Deve Gowda .Government would not continue for long because it would be next to impossible to satisfy the egos of so many ‘big wigs. He said that differences had already cropped up between senior Leaders On the issue of distribution of portfolios. He said that people would paver accept a “Congress coated government.” Badal said that his party was still willing to move a resolution in the Parliament seeking apology from government for Operation Blue Star, carried out in the Golden Temple in 1984. He Said that his issue would be discussed with like-minded political parties before taking a final decision, He said that leader of the party in Parliament Sugit Singh Barnala would hold discussions with other party. On this issue. _ Replying to questions, SAD president said that delay in holding state Assembly elections in Punjab would put them at advantage. He said that Harcharan Singh Brar Government should fall with the weight of its own ‘evils, He said that corruption was still continuing and infighting to the rank and file of Congress would aggravate time the days to come, He said that Brar should resign from office if he has any respect for moral values. He said that functioning of state government was at a stand still.
Badal blamed Congress for encouraging certain undesirable elements ‘among Sikhs to “form separate Akali also to create confusion among Sikhs and non-Sikhs living outside Punjab, He said that people of Punjab had rejected such elements several times. He was replying to a question on the formation of Shiromani Akali Dal aee ‘at the initiative of former fathedar Professor Darshan Singh Ragi. Badal said that Ragi was a totally unprincipled person; He said that tie was the Jathedar of Akal Takht, he was an advocate of a united Akali Dal by dissolving all groups but now he himself was playing in the hands of and Panthic forces to cause split in the party.
The secretary general of SAD Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who briefed the newsmen about the proceedings ‘of meeting, said that all the members ‘of Parliament had been directed to Tatum 10 their respective constituencies and hold thanksgiving meetings in villages. He said that it would also serve the purposes of maintaining contact with voters. He said that party cadre had been asked to get ready for Assembly elections in near future.
Dhindsa said that the meeting had in detail discussed the strategy of contesting general elections of Shiromant Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), likely to be held in November this year. He said that voter lists prepared by Gurdwara Election Commission had not been placed at district and sub divisional headquarters. The commission had given time for filing objections from May 22 to June 4. He said that party had demanded the extension of the last date to make available the voter lists. The Working Committee meeting also welcomed the decision of Haryana Government’s to give status ‘of second language to Punjabi in the state. The party also urged the Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan Government to follow the Haryana Government in this matter. The SAD thanked the Supreme Court for directing the Center and state government to review and decide the cases of prisoners awaiting trial within three months.
The party also took notice of an inadequate power supply to farmers for plantation of paddy. Through another resolution, party demanded the clearance of payment of bonus on paddy announced by the state government in 1994 and 1995; the meeting also gave a call to hold Akhand paths in all cities and performance of bhog ‘on June 6 to observe the anniversary Of Operation Blue Star. The meeting mourned the death of former President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, ‘Those who attended the Working Committee meeting include SOPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Surjit Singh Barnala, Captain Kanwaljit Singh, Gurdev Singh Badal, Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Balinder Singh Bhunder, president of Istri Akali Dal Shavinder Kaur Johal and! Party MP’s Except Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Earlier, Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Sujit Singh Bamala created a flutter when they moved out of the meeting, when discussions on certain vital issues were still going on, ‘Though there is no confirmation of the reasons for which both the senior leaders left the meeting abruptly, it is being speculated that they differed with the party president Parkash Singh Badal on the issue of opposing United Front Government and earlier supporting BJP Government. Both Tohra and Barnala’s later also met the Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Manjit Singh in the Golden Temple complex. Badal, when contacted to comment ‘on the action of Tohra and Barnala, said that they had certain important engagements. He said that it was not true that there were any differences among party leaders on the issue of giving support to BJP. He said that this decision was taken unanimously after considering all pros and cons.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 5, 1996
