NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party stressed the need for a fresh initiative to find a permanent solution to Punjab problem and wanted the center to reject the idea of Khalistan or any other such proposal as again demanded by some Sikh militants.
The BJP general secretary, Krishanlal Sharma, said that the “peace first and elections afterwards” should be the nation’s goal for Punjab. He said another valuable opportunity had been offered by the change of the government at the center and release of Akali leaders.
The government should hold dialogue with only those Akali leaders who were unreservedly prepared to disown the killers and express firm faith in the Constitution.
The BJP is in favor of granting amnesty to only those who lay down arms and express faith in the Constitution and wants their cases to be considered “favorably.”
Mr, Sharma said that while the BJP had always stood for action against those responsible for 1984 killings of Sikhs, it had always demanded stern action against those responsible for killings in Punjab since 1981. He warned that any ad hoc approach towards the Punjab problem was bound to create more complications. The new political developments, the BJP leader said, did not provide a scope for “any complacency” and the situation called for strict administrative and police vigil to instill a sense of security and confidence among the common citizens.
The BJP leader said there had been enough bloodshed in Punjab and now Mr. S.S. Mann and Mr.
Parkash Singh Badal, along with other Akali leaders, should come forward for ushering in a new era of national unity, amity and perfect peace in unity.
AHMEDABAD: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Atal Behari Vajpayee made it clear that his party would not allow the National Front government at the center to fall.
“But we will make our view known on issues on which we have differences with them. Vajpayee said while elaborating on the significance of “critical support,” which his party had pledged to the national front.
Addressing a press conference here, Vajpayee said the National Front had its own manifesto and so did the BJP and the Leftists for its survival, he said.
In this situation the national front government should not take up any controversial issue, Vajpayee said, adding that it should fix priorities and implement them.
Vajpayee said his party was in favor of continuing the cooperation with the national front for elections to the state legislative assemblies, “Our aim is to defeat the congress and increase BJP’s strength manifold,” he said.
On seat adjustment between the BJP and the National Front for the Assembly elections, Vajpayee said it would be finalized by the state units.
Vajpayee alleged that the way the Congress was replacing Chief Ministers with “old hands,” gave an impression that they would misuse the government machineries in those states to return to power.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 22, 1989
