AMRITSAR: The BJP leader, L.K.Advani, Saturday said that the government owed an explanation on why the elections in Punjab were cancelled in June despite opposition from the then governor and the then Prime Minister.
Speaking to reporters here during his one- day visit to see Dr.Baldev Prakash, who was seriously injured in a bomb blast recently, Advani said none expected the situation to be different between now and the holding of elections scheduled for February 15. He said the Congress government could not say that the decision to postpone the elections in June was taken by the chief election commissioner. The government, till date had not disapproved, criticized or lodged a formal protest against the decision to the commission.
Reacting on the reported move of the government to reduce the campaign period to 10 days or even less, Advani said his party was willing to consider the proposal.
Advani exhorted his party men to be pre- pared for elections. He sought from the Punjabis a verdict against secessionism in the elections.
POLL PACT: Asked if his party was exploring possibilities of an electoral alliance with forces opposed to militancy, Advani said that their experience last time had been unhappy as the Congress had backed out of the move at the last moment. This had made them wary of such a move now, he added.
The BJP leader said that all parties opposed to militancy and secessionism should make a concerted effort to isolate and defeat anti- national forces, Making an obvious but oblique reference to the moderate Akalis who frequently adopted hostile postures, he said that even those who had failed to take a firm public stand because of their “compulsion or cowardice” should be associated with the move to defeat militancy. Accusing the government of lack of direction and absence of any policy on Punjab, Advani said the government had only taken irrational decisions of scuttling and subsequently re-announcing elections in the PN state. He pointed out that in the white paper issued in 1984; the government had said that 400 lives were lost during the previous two years. Now, over 400 persons were killed every month, The worst feature of this was the deliberate and planned liquidation of families of security men, he said, But the government had shown no evidence of any planned action or a coherent policy, he added.
NATIONAL POLICY: The BJP leader felt that the Congress leadership was totally confused on major national issues and cabinet ministers often gave contradictory statements.
Commenting on the repeated offer of negotiations with the militants, Advani maintained that it would “convey wrong signals to the militants and their mentors across the border.” He said the government agencies should have a “continuous link” with the militants, but a repeated invitation for dialogue exposes the immaturity of the political leadership.
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