NEW DELHI: The Punjab Governor has ruled out any political solution to the Punjab problem until at least the Lok Sabha elections. Detained Akali Leader Parkash Singh Badial would not be released nor there would be any change in the declared policy to hold elections to the Panchayat Samit in the state the governor said.
While admitting that the ultimate solution to the Punjab problem has to be political, Gov. S.S. Ray does not see any such solution in the near future until at least parliamentary elections are over. He also said the government was committed to hold panchayat elections as soon as poll lists were ready but we have an open mind. We can review the issue if the circumstance warrant it. Without blaming any particular party for creating hurdles in finding the political solution Ray told at the press club meeting. I know no body will say anything until the parliamentary elections. Nobody wants to talk on territories wanted and Anandpur Sahib resolution now. Addressing a press conference at the press club Ray regretted that an opportunity for such a solution was missed soon after the operation Black Thunder (the police desecration of the Golden Temple)was over. We would have given them the Punjab package if they had reacted favorably. But they opposed operation Black Thunder and did not condemn terrorism either. From they Ray appears to be referring to the Akali group. Ray said that the government was trying hard to solve the Punjab problem, that the Prime Minister was trying his best to find the solution. The Akalis were not taking the opportunity being offered to them now,” I don’t know why they did not appear before the sub committee. They are not interested in the solution now,” Ray said RajivLongowal accord was not dead Ray said, But political parties like Akalis must come forward to accept the verdict given by Venka~ taramaya and Tradi Commission in the respect of territories and water sharing. These commissions had recommended that substantial territorial chunks of Punjab be given to Haryana for Punjab getting Chandigarh.
When newsmen asked “how can we find a political solution by keeping the Badal and other behind Bars,” Ray said. “They must clarify their stand on Khalistan and other issues.”
Article extracted from this publication >> May 5, 1989
