CHANDIGARH: The Union Minister of State for Wasteland Development, Col. Ram Singh has said he will continue to participate in the rallies organized by the dissidents in Haryana, Speaking to ENS over the phone he contradicted reports that he and the Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal had patched up differences.
The rebels would hold their next rally at Rewari on July 18,at which Col. Ram Singh would be felicitated on becoming a Union minister, This would be followed by another at Hisar on August 9, which would mark the 50th anniversary of the launching of the ‘Quit India’ movement.
The clarification given by Col, Ram Singh sets at rest the speculation that he might disassociate himself from dissident activities after becoming a minister at the Center. It was Col, Ram Singh, who as the state convener of the Kisan Congress had provided the dissidents with a banner to hold at public meetings.
Asked about the claim made by the Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal, that he had asked for forgiveness over the phone before being sworn in as a minister Col. Ram Singh said that he had not spoken to him for four months cither personally over the telephone. He said the moment the word spread that he was likely to be sworn in as a minister, messages started pouring in that the Chief Minister wanted to talk to him. However, he kept dismissing them saying that he neither had the time nor any issue. to talk about. There was, therefore no question of his ringing him up. He said the Chief Minister was trying to sow the seeds of discord between him and his friends, Shamsher Singh Surjewala and — Birender Singh, both ministers, and Bhupinder Singh Hood a, M.P. Col, Ram Singh contested the reports that Jats were unhappy over his induction into the Union ministry.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 17, 1992
