NEW DELHI: A consensus seems to be gradually emerging in favor of continuing Harcharan Singh Brar as Chief Minister of Punjab even as a section of the party MPs and MLAs want the decision to be left to the party president and Prime Minister, P.Y. Narasimha Rao.
On his part, the Congress President has not given any clue to his views on the successor issue cither to R.L.Bhatia, Minister of State for External Affairs, or to Umrao Singh and Surinder Singla, both Members of Parliament, who called on him separately.
- .B. Chavan is reported to have told some MPs that a “clean image and clean administration” is the primary objective of the party and rest of the things can be sorted out.
Umrao Singh, who called on the Prime Minister, is reported to have id that he would abide by the decision of the high command.
There are, however, reports that Umrao Singh is now being persuaded to lead the delegation of party MPs to support the candidature of H.S, Brar for the post of the Chief Minister, [tis felt that no useful purpose will be served by holding a by election for the assembly seat to accommodate a non MLA as Chief Minister at this juncture, particularly when the number two in the Beant Singh government had already been donned with the mantle of Chief Minister ship.
The high command is of the view that ‘tainted’ ministers in the Beant ‘Singh government will not be inducted At any cost. The Intelligence Bureau has been directed to give fresh dossiers on these ministers, the high ‘command is also contacting the widow ‘of Beant Singh to seek her views on who should be inducted into the Brat ministry as a representative of the Family.
Article extracted from this publication >>September 8, 1995
