CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have arrived at an electoral understanding for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Punjab which effectively rules out any understanding between the SAD and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The SAD president, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief, Mr.G.S. Tohra, held a two-hour meeting with the BSP supremo, Mr. Kanshi Ram, here to evolve an electoral understanding between the two parties in the static. Although no formal announcement was made, the leaders of the two parties said that the negotiations were at ‘an “advanced stage.”

Mr. Badkal was evasive in his replies when asked about the discussions but said that several misunderstandings had been cleared and expressed the hope that a final decision on the issue would be taken shortly, He also declined to comment about his party’s stand in relation to the BJP. Mr. Kanshi Ram, on the other hand, was more forthcoming and said that his party would have nothing to do with the BJP.

Informed sources said that the SAD had expressed its desire to contest at least seven of the 13 Lok Sabha seats from the state. It has suggested that the BSP could contest the other seats or lend support to the National Front or its allies in a couple of constituencies, Sources said that the finer points of the understanding, including identification of seats 10 be contested by the two parties, are yet to be worked out. A former announcement about the understanding is likely only after the two parties identify the constituencies from which their candidates would contest the elections.

The political affairs committee of the SAD which met for three hours here this week gave a go-ahead to the party leadership on an electoral tinder standing with the BSP. According to Mr. Badal, the talks were held in jal atmosphere and satisfactory progress was made during the meeting.

Sources said today’s meeting decided that top leaders of the party should contest the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. It was decided to put up former Chief Minister, Mr, Surjit Singh Bamala, from Sangrur, Mr. Manjit Singh from Tar Taran, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, son of Mr. Badal, from Fandkot, Mr. Basant Singh Khalsa from Ropar and Mr. Harinder Singh Khalsa, former envoy, from Bathinder.

Mr, Badal said after the PAC meeting that a working committee member, Mr, Balwinder Singh Khojkipor, had been suspended from the party with immediate effect in view of his open criticism of the party president. ‘The case of Mr, Khojkipur, who earlier belonged to All India Sikh Students Federation, shall now be discussed by the disciplinary committees.

Mr. Badal criticized former Director General of Police, Mr.KP,S. Gill, for “baselessly” blaming the Akalis for the Punjab problem. Observing that Mr, Gill was trying to shield the Congress through such, announcements Mr. Badal alleged that the whole world knew that the problem was created by the ruling party itself.

Dismissing allegations of irregularities in previous fund collections by Akali workers as untrue, Mr. Badal said during the present fund collection drive, proper accounts of funds would be maintained and audited.

He said senior leaders of the SAD have been made in charge of contacting Akali activists and delegates in other states and abroad for the platinum jubilee celebrations of the SAD at Moga later this month.

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 14, 1996