NEW DELHI: Prime Minister V.P. Singh said in the lower house of Indian Parliament Friday that he had committed the biggest mistake in not holding assembly elections in Punjab immediately after the national front Govt came to power.
Replying to a discussion on the statutory resolution for extension of president’s rule in Punjab, prime minister regretted that an opportunity had been frittered away.
He said there was a lot of goodwill among the Sikhs when the new Govt took over. That was the time the elections could have been held. Various Akali factions were then willing to join hands with the Govt, he said. Prime Minister said Simranjit Singh Mann had also sent his representatives to the all) party meeting. The political confidence of the Sikhs the new Govt had gained, received a setback when the elections were first postponed.
“I have no hesitation to admit that this was the biggest mistake I have committed,” he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 12, 1990
