WSN Service CHANDIGARH: Akali leader Simranjit Singh Mann created an intriguing situation for himself when he issued a statement at Delhi through his counsel Dr. BL. Wadhera, last week announcing his willingness to reconsider the poll boycott provided the Indian government gave him a “credible assurance” that it would hold a free and fair election in Punjab.

Mann later denied that he would reconsider the boycott plan but at the same time stated that he would not “disown” Wadhera Mann claimed that while he did communicate his views to Wadhera these were released by Wadhera unauthorized and that what had appeared in the Indian media was a distortion of his statement.

A section of the Indian media reproduced Manns hand-written statement dated January 22.confirming what he really wrote but later denied. Here are excerpts from Manns denial and answers to news men’s questions. It i interesting to note that it was Parkash Singh Badal who on seeing Manns statement about reconsideration of the boycott went to his village Talanian in Patiala district and persuaded him to hold a joint conference at Chandigarh

Mann denied that he had offered to reconsider his stand on the boycott of Punjab elections if the Center gave a “credible assurance” that the poll would be free and fair.

“The report in this regard is totally false baseless and unfounded and we are steadfast in our resolve to boycott the elections” he told a hurriedly summoned Press conference here which was also attended by Parkasah Singh Badal “I have not made any such statement he asserted.

However under sustained questioning by newsmen Mann admitted that he had indeed given a letter to his counsel Dr. BL. Wadhera seating out his party’s stand that it would take art in the elections only if they were held under the auspices o the United Nations. Dr. Wadher met me recently and wanted to know my views on the elections told him that the Union government was incapable of holding free and fair-elections. Therefore these should be held under the auspice of the UN just like those arranged by the world body in Namia Cambodia and Ethiopia. I gave them a letter outlining my party’s stand.”

Asked what was the occasion for giving the letter to Wadhera after party had decided along with other Panthic organizations to boycott the Punjab poll Mann said the letter was meant for explaining his stand to visiting foreign delegations. “I had not authorized Dr. Wadhera to issue the Press which was twisted the facts and quoted it out of context to suit the government’s policy” he complained deciding that all this was very unfortunate.”

Questioned if he would disown Dr. Wadhera for “misusing the letter” Mann shot back “Why should I disown him? Even Ram Jethmalani once spoke out against me but I preferred to keep quiet.” Queried what would be his party’s stand if the Center agreed to have UN observers here during the elections Mann said he would place the issue before the seven member committees which had unanimously decided to boycott the elections

Badal when asked if he was satisfied with the disclaimers is sued by Mann said there was no question of reconsidering the decision to boycott the Punjab elections. “We have thought over all-aspects of the issue and now stand firm like a rock on a boycott of the elections.”

The former Chief Minister said the Center would try to create all sorts of misunderstanding among the people. They should therefore remain on guard against the Centers machinations. He also narrated an anecdote to drive home the point that greedy politicians could be easily trapped by a wily Center.

Asked what was he difference in the situation between now and last June when all Akai factions had contested the aborted elections Badal said the Akalis did not get an opportunity to sit together and think over the matters. He emphasized that the Center should first find a permanent solution to the Punjab problem and then thinks of an elected government in the trouble-torn state

Badal as well as Mann were of the view that no government would be able to carry on in Punjab till the problem was resolved on a temporary solution before that will not do any good to anyone” they said adding that they had seen the fate of many elected governments in the state in the past.

They asserted that the poll boycott was the biggest democratic protest” against the Centers “excesses and injustice” towards the Sikhs during the past 24 years. Referring to the argument by the Center that the problem would be taken up with the newly elected government in Punjab the two Akal leaders said in the past there had never been any agreement between the state government and the Center to resolve the problem. Even the last accord was negotiated with the then Akali Dal chief Sant Harchand Singh Longowal by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. They also appealed to the people and all the political parties including the Congress (I) BJP CPI and CPM to join the boycott in the interest of Punjab.  A similar appeal was also made to the Akali Dal (Kabul) and also Sukhjinder Singh a senior leader of the Akali Dal (Badal) who was in favor of contesting the poll.

Denying that they were running away from the elections they said they would intensify their peaceful and democratic campaign for the poll boycott and in this regard hold rallies at a number of places in the state.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 7, 1992