JALANDHAR: There is a possibility of a poll alliance between Shiromani ‘Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the forthcoming general elections. This was disclosed by Mr. Satnam Singh Kainth the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab ‘Assembly and BSP MLA from Banga.

Mr. Kainth said in a press conference here that talks were in progress between leaders of both the parties on this issue, A meeting was also held recently in Delhi between SAD president Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and BSP supremo Mr. Kanshi Ram on the ‘cause of an alliance, Mr, Kainth said that keeping in view the around dis mal performances of the governments of both the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party, the BSP had decided to forge an alliance with the regional parties, He said that genuine issues such as river waters, transfer of Chandigarh and the upliftment of downtrodden people had not beaned seriously despite several com= mit ments (0 this effect due to which resentment prevailed among the ‘people of Punjab.

Mr. Kainth alleged that Congress government wanted to create a reign of terror in the stale with any eon the elections. He cited the example of Phillaur and Garhshankar in this regard where armed gangs of robbers had looted people for hours in broad daylight. Mr. Kainth maintained that a lot of resentment prevailed among the government employees working in the border areas since no Border Area Allowance was being given despite several assurances by the Union Home Minister Mr.S.P. Chavan and the late Chief Minister Beant Singh. Mr. Kainth alleged that government ‘was dillydally yang on the issue of regularization of ad hoc employees who had completed 240 days of service. Not to talk of 240 days, employees having even 10 years of service had not being regularized, he alleged.

The BSP leader also demanded a hike in the salaries of Special Police Officers who were getting a pretty sum of Rs 1200 as salary. HE also deplored the proposal for retrench= ment of Home Guards, who, he said had played a crucial role in fighting militancy. He said that despite several announcements regarding the waiving of loans up to Rs 5000, the people ‘were still being harassed by the recovery officers. ‘The other demands of the BSP include filling the backlog posts lying vacant in the state and the implementation of Mandal Commission report in without any further delay. ‘The BSP has also decided to bold a state level rally on January. 7 at Hoshiarpur which Mr. Kanshi Ram will address the party workers.

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 3, 1996