CHANDIGARH: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said on Tuesday that the Congress was open to an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the coming Assembly elections in the State. Ms. Bhattal told news media that BSP had made a proposal in this regard and the Congress was considering it. She said the Left parties could also be included in the broad-based alliance against the “communal forces” represented by the Akalis and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Ms. Bhattal said the Congress would have nothing to do with the Secular Front launched by expelled Akali Dal (Badal) leaders, saying that past history had proved that all Akalis were of one mind. “Let them prove their secular credentials to the people,” she said. Ms. Bhattal said there were no differences in the Congress leadership in Punjab, adding that acting State party president Ambika Soni was acceptable to everyone. Ms. Soni has enthused party workers with her campaign which was supported by both the Chief Minister and herself, Ms. Bhattal said. “There is no demand from any quarter for a change in the Pradesh leadership,” she added. The Deputy Chief Minister said the Congress would launch its election campaign on November |) from the border village of Dera Baba Nanak in which Congress Working Committee member Manmohan Singh and general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad would participate. Ms. Bhattal said the public rally was being held in Dera Baba Nanak so that elements from across the border may know about the Congress” determination not to allow any disturbance in Punjab.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 30, 1996
