CHANDIGARH: The Union home minister, S.B. Chavan, Sunday assured that the Center Would not destabilize the government to be formed in Punjab After the February elections, irrespective of the party which assumed power, The Akalis were Promised full cooperation if they received the mandate. Chavan said the government would initiate action against the Politicians and policemen indicted in the Mishra Commission report for their role in the anti-Sikh riots following Indira Gandhi’s assassination. It would take him a week to go through the report after which cases would be instituted wherever there had been delay, he said.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to holding elections by February 15, Chavan said at a Press Conference at Raj Bhavan here that the dates for the polls would be decided by the state government in consultation with the Chief Election Commissioner.
Chavan urged all the political parties, including the Akalis, to participate in the elections, “We have to see that conditions are created so that they feel confident. They (the Akalis) also fear that the Center might interfere with their government. We promise not to destabilize the state government, irrespective of the party which comes to power”, he said.
The home minister rejected the demand of militants to have Khalistan on the agenda of his proposed talks. “We have told militants that we are willing to talk to them, provided they come forward with an open mind. When we have not imposed any conditions, why should they”? he asked.,
Although Chavan stressed his government’s commitment to implementing the Punjab accord, he refused to comment on any political or economic concessions, such as transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, Such decisions could be taken only after consultations with his cabinet colleagues, he said.
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