LUDHIANA: Calling the alliance between the Akali Dal (B) and the BJP opportunistic, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, urged the secular and democratic forces in the state to unite to foil the designs of these parties. Bhattal, who was addressing a well-attended function organized to honor her elevation to the post of Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, last week, said that BJP had always been critical of the pro militant stance of the Akali Dal who had never condemned the killing of innocent people in the state. She wondered at this change of heart. Launching a virtual campaign for the party, Bhattal claimed that the Congress had made sacrifices to bring peace and prosperity in the state earlier. Under the stewardship of late Beant Singh, it ushered a new era of development and brought the stale among the top three states in the field of industry in the country. She said only the Congress could provide a stable government in the State and maintain the tempo of development. According to her, the Congress was a completely united party and would go to the people in the coming six months to highlight the achievements of the Punjab government and to pries the people of the designs o: the opportunistic forces. Bhattal warned that these elections were not a routine electoral exercise, but it would, she observed, decide whether the state was to further strengthen the pace or to push the State back to times of militancy. Hamam Das Johar, Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha, while welcoming Bhattal and other ministers, said Bhattal had the ability to mobilize the workers to fight any kind of challenge from the antinational forces.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 14, 1996
