CHANDIGARH: The decision of Akali Dal headed by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, -not to contest elections is understood to have put the Prime Minister, Mr Chandra Shekhar, in a dilemma on the issue of holding elections in Punjab. °
Mr Mann announced at Nathu Ke Burj in Amritsar district the decision not to contest elections and abiding by this, the party abstained from the elections to the three municipal corporations of Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. However, later, Mr Mann clarified that the decision could be reviewed by the party working committee in case the Centre announced elections in Punjab along with rest of the country.
The newly constituted Shiromani Babbar Akali Dal also followed suit and made it clear that the party would not participate in elections.
The Prime Minister has been in touch with some leaders in’ Punjab to exchange views and discuss the situation, Prof Darshan Singh, the former jathedar of Akal Takht along with Mr Gurtej Singh and others called on Mr Chandra Shekhar in Delhi on Thursday following a written invitation. Others who were invited along with Prof. Darshan Singh included Mr Sukhinder Singh, Major Trilok Singh, Mr Gurtej Singh, Mr Gurkirpal Singh, Dr Gurmeet Singh and Mr Kirpal Singh Chauhan,
Sources say the Prime Minister might like to have some sort of understanding with the dominant leadership before announcing Lok Sabha poll in Punjab. To start with this understanding could be for getting support for the Janata Dal (S). The state Janata Dal (S) leadership has already held some exploratory talks with some Akali leaders here in this regard.
Strangely, while Mr Mann’s party is for the time being averse to participating in the electoral process, it has decided to field candidates in Delhi. It is being said
Article extracted from this publication >> April 5, 1991
