CHANDIGARH: The CPM leader, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, Monday alleged that the Center had played into the hands of the militants by not announcing the Punjab package before notifying them of elections in the troubled state,
‘Addressing a press conference here, Surjeet stated that after the announcement of poll boycott re- quests by various Akali factions, the only option left for the Center was to involve the people in the process by announcing a package. I would have helped moderate ‘Akalis also to participate in the poll.
Surjeet said the government’s Calculation seemed to be that if the Akalis boycotted the poll it would be able to manage some seats for the Congress in the Lok Sabha. This thinking would prove to be disastrous in the present situation and lead to further polarization and strengthening of militant forces he warned.
He alleged that the Congress (I) had always backed out of its commitment and had changed its mind at the last minute which resulted in Operation Bluestar the assassination of Indira Gandhi followed by the anti-Sikh riots Mishandling of the Punjab situation by the Center had resulted in its loss of credibility in the eyes of the people of Punjab and the country had to pay a heavy price for this Surjeet also released a copy of the letter he had written to the Prime Minister recently raising issues and emphasizing the need for an immediate solution to the Punjab problem.
Surjeet pointed out that the Janata Dal and the BJP had agreed to the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab but the move was “sabotaged” by the Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal.
He had told the Prime Minister that if the Center wanted to restore its credibility it must consider three issues including transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab trial of those responsible for the 1984 riots and end to misuse of Art 356 against the elected government.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 7, 1992
