NEW DELHI: Former prime minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh on Thursday asserted that the Janata Dal would have to give due share to the deprived classes in the power structure which he said was a historical necessity.
Addressing reporters Singh agreed that this was bound to create an “honest difference of opinion within the party”.
Singh’s proposal ‘made in the recent Puri convention of the party that 60% of the posts in the party should go to the backward classes and minorities has led to a debate within the party with some leaders expressing reservations.
The Hegde committee which is examining his proposal will have to respect the overwhelming support on the issue at the Puri convention the Janata Dal leader said.
Once the party accepts this line it will be binding on the party members he remarked.
Singh firmly ruled out of his party joining hands with the Congress (I) to isolate the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party and said the national front and the left parties are sufficient to contain the BJP.
Singh expressed himself against the formation of a national government excluding BJP as this would provide an opportunity to that party to emerge as a national opposition.
The Janata Dal leader hoped that the National Front and the Left parties would together gain an absolute majority in the next elections which he said were bound to be held this year.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 8, 1991
