CHANDIGARH: While the Akali Dal (Badal) welcomed the formation of the Congress (I) backed Chander Shekhar government at Delhi, the Akali Dal (Mann) said it would watch the deeds of the new government rather than believing its words.

In a statement, Prakash Singh Badal and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa hailed the new government and expected it to accord a top priority to solving the Punjab problem. The two Dal (B) leaders described Shekhar as the last ray of hope for Punjab. They also “‘congratulated” Devi Lal on becoming Deputy Prime Minister who, the Dal (B) leaders said, had done a lot for farmers. Badal declined to comment on reports that he might join the Union Cabinet.

Simranjit Singh Mann, on the other hand, said his party would watch the new government’s performance before commenting on its merits. The new government’s acid test was whether it would stop the Chandigarh administration from banning public hearings of the complaints of the people against the Punjab police and other security forces or not. The administration has “banned” the public hearings to be organised by the Punjab Sangharsh Morcha headed by Mann,

The Akali Dal (Longowal) which played to the Congress (I)’s tunes for long has now come out in support of V.P. Singh as against the Congress (I)supported Chander Shekhar group. Kanwaljit Singh, a junior Dal (L) leader asked all “secular forces” to stand by V.P. Singh in his “hour of trial”.

Mahant Sewa Dass who heads a one man Akali Dal (Pheruman) has also supported Chander Shekhar.

Yet another Akali splinter group headed by Rajdev Singh Barnala is also supporting Shekhar and is even mentioned in certain circles as a ministerial candidate. Rajdev is said to be close to Baba Joginder Singh.

 

Article extracted from this publication >> November 23, 1990