CHANDIGARAH, India: Mr. Partap Singh, a former MLA and leader of Congress (I) in Haryana has snapped his 20 year old ties with the Congress (I). Mr. Partap Singh who is the son of Chaudhari Devi Lal said in a statement, “I always regarded Mrs. Gandhi a competent and patriotic leader. I went to jail to protest against her arrest and humiliation at the hands of Janata government.
Rajiv Gandhi wants to dominate in this part of the country. I would like to warn against the mechinations of men like Natwar Singh and Amarinder Singh.
While Natwar Singh brought split in the Lok Dal, Amarinder Singh is keen on keeping the Sikh community on the right side of Congress (I). Let me also warn my father, please stop riding the high horse. It’s time for your last chance in politics.
The coming elections in Haryana will be a referendum not only of RajivLongowal Accord but also a sort of a referendum of political fate of Rajiv Gandhi, Mr. Partap added.
It is a pity that most opposition parties are willing tools in this game of the ruler. Yet another development which shocked me as a Congressman is the manipulation of Rajiv Gandhi and his hatred for Punjab, Partap Singh said.
It is equally interesting that most of the opposition has echoed. Rajiv GAndhi rather than seeing through his game. In the alternative Rajiv Gandhi is capable of declaring emergency to crush democratic values of the country to maintain himself in power. There are strong reasons, Partap Singh added why I am saying all this.
Not long ago, Prime Minister’s men were toying with the idea of postponing Haryana elections and Sarbchari Karmachari rally last month was planned to be used as a pretext. Even the dismissal of Barnala as Chief Minister was aimed at appeasing the Haryana voters. The tragic events in Meerut could as well be linked to circumstances congenial for the Congress (I), he said that these development clearly show the ruling clique in Delhi is willing to go to any length slaughter human beings and sacrificing lives without demur and throng the country into politics of international politics to retain power.
Earlier addressing the party workers at a gurdwara in Ludhiana on the concluding day of three day Ardas in the memory of innocent persons killed in the Operation Blue Star’. former Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala said that deterioration in law and order situation of the state has proved that solution of the problem did not lie with the police. He said that situation calls for an act of major statesmanship and political daring on the part of the Centre. He alleged that the repression has been let loose on the workers of the party and other innocent persons which would bring bad name to the Prime Minister who is now directly responsible for the situation in the state.
Referring to a demand by Congress (I) for fresh poll in the State, Surjit Singh said that this was a typical attitude of a defeated wrestler.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 12, 1987
