LUDHIANA: Leaders of the Akali Dal (Badal) and the Akali Dal (Panthic) led by Mr Amarinder Singh have agreed to sink their differences and have a adjustment of seats during the Lok Sabha and Vichan Sabha elections in Punjab through the intervention of some well-meaning friends.
The final adjustment of seats by the two factions will be announced soon. According to sources close to the two factions of the Akali Dal Mr Parkash Singh Badal chief Akali Dal (Badal) has authorized Mr Sukhdey Singh Dhindsa his general Secretary to have final talks with Mr Amarinder Singh Presidentof the rival faction Although Mr Badal and Mr Amarinder Singh could not meet to sort out the differences face to face both spoke on the phone in a cordial manner and agreed for the adjustment of seats.
According to these sources there has been a broad agreement between the leaders of the two factions that 26 former legislators of the Akali Dal who had parted company with Mr Surjit Singh Barnala at the time of his sending the police into Harmander Sahib in April 1986 should not be opposed by either faction. All of them will be supported by both the factions irrespective of the fact to: 0 which party they ‘belong.
Mr. Amarinder Singh is one of those 26 former legislators. He has filed his nomination papers from two Vidhan Sabha constituencies of Patiala and Dakala in Patiala district. He will opt for one constituency. He is likely to opt for the Patiala Vidhan Sabha constituency because he is expecting support from the Bharatiya Janata Party on this seat.
Similarly the nominees of the Akali Dal (Panthic) will retire in favor of the Akali Dal (Badal). However the Akali Dal (Mann) nominees on the same Vidhan Sabha seats will be opposing the nominees of the Akali Dal (Badal) and the Akali Dal (Panthic). An interesting situation developed as Mr Parkash Singh Badal revolved against Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and revived his Akali Dal Mr Gurcharafi Singh Tohra has not joined any group so far He has maintained a “neutral” stance although his close confidants have been given to ticket by the Akali Dal (Badal) The close confidants of Mr Tohra who have been given the ticket by the Akali Dal (Badal) include Mr Basant Singh Khalsa (Khanna reserve) Mr Prrem Singh Chandumarja (Dakala) Mr Kirpal Singh Libra (Amloh-reserve) and Mr Gurdev Singh (Shatrana reserve in Patiala district)
The Akali Dal sources said here that Mr Thora would have to take a definite stand in the developing situation and he would have to oppose the Akali Dal (Mann) nominees to support his own lieutenants who are seeking election on the Akali Dal (Badal) ticket.
Meanwhile a section of the Akali Dal (Badal) led by Mr Sukhjinder Singh is still negotiating with the All-India Sikh Students Federation (Manjit) for seat adjustments. There is another close circle of Mr Badal who is opposed to having any seat adjustments with the AISSF (Manjit). This section is of the view that the Hindus will vote for the Akali Dal (Badal) nominees in the absence of the Congress (I) nominees and any seat adjustment with the AISSF (Manjit) will wean away the Hindus from the Dal (Badal). Some of the senior leaders of the Dal (Badal) have reported the things to Mr Parkasah
Singh Badal and urged him not to have any adjustments with the AISSF (Manjit). The in fighting in the Akali Dal (Mann) is stilt continuing and Mr Harcharan Singh Rode continues to lead the rebel faction, The five – member Committee set up by the rebel meeting at Ludhiana on May 3 is Supposed to give its report on May 10 after meeting top Sikh personalities like Baba Thakar Singh Baba Joginder Singh Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode and Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 24, 1991
