CHANDIGARH: Akali leader Simranjit Singh Mann appears to have reached a limited understanding with Prime Minister Chander Shekhar at their December 28 meeting in Delhi notwithstanding confusing statements by the two leaders. Straws in the wind point to this rather unexpected development with pro-Delhi Akalis the Badal Dal and the Barnala Dal unconditionally merging into the Mann Akali dal to form what is described as Shiromani Akali Dal. It is well known that the merger hinged on Mann agreeing to certain terms palatable to Haraynas strongman Devi Lal. The latter had a strong pull with Parkash Singh Badal. It is simply incredible that Badal may have agreed to end his Dals identity without a green signal from Devi Lal True not much haggling was required to bring round the Longowal Akali Dal which has not been left with much following in any case.
Equally significantly Mann has started receiving sympathetic attention from Hindu media with The Tribune and the Business and Political Observer and other publications making conscious efforts to build him up in the same way as they built up the late Harchand Singh Longowal after he had signed the well-known Rajiv-Longowal accord. In any case his self-determination demand has frightened none.
The freshly unified Akali Dal headed by Mann is proceeding to hold a mass rally at Ludhiana on Jan 26 as a show of its organisational strength distinct from the ones the party held at Fatehgarh Saheb fast month and at Mukatsar on Jan 14.
These developments clearly show that the party is actually getting ready for Assembly election which the Government of India might order sometime in March. Bhai Sucha Singh M_P. itis understood has been asked by Mann to return soon from his proposed tour of the U.K. in view of the likelihood of the election.
It must be carefully noted that a bad law and order situation has never been the most decisive factor for putting off the Punjab election by Delhi. It was really the absence of an understanding with dominant Akali Dal particularly when it had the capacity to form government in Punjab That some sort of an understanding has now been reached with Mann to pave the way for the long-delayed poll is seriously being speculated in Punjab’s political circles.
Mann is reluctant to give out the full story of his talks with Shekhar notwithstanding his claim of openness He did not even release his memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister on the ground that he has to seek Damdami Taksal chief’s permission to do so. It was left to the Central Government to make a public Mann’s document.
Informed political circles believe that an understanding has been reached between the Prime Minister and the Akali leader on the possible parameters of functioning in the event of election being held and Mann emerging as Assembly’s leader. Accordingly Mann would continue to be permitted to project his demand for self-determination but would not be allowed to exercise Punjab’s sovereignty on its river waters provided for even by the existing Indian Constitution.
Interestingly the Prime Minister made it clear during his first visit to Haryana on the eve of his talks with Mann that Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal would be built come what may implying the use
of force. Mann or his Akali Dal did not react. Curiously it was left to the Punjab BJP leader Baldev Parkash to state for the first time that Punjab waters must remain in Punjab and that S.Y.L canals filling up was his party’s first priority.
Mann’s studied silence on the issue is said to be the direct outcome of his talks with Shekhar who is keen on protecting Hindus States Haryana and Rajasthan even if that meant sacrificing Punjab’s constitutional rights. Delhi will even go to the extent of seeking the Indian Supreme Court’s opinion on the matter with an overwhelming Brahman judges supporting and legalizing the existing inter-State arrangements sharing river waters.
The Hindu media and intelligence agencies have made considerable headway to ensure that’s vast section of Sikhs dismiss any talk of Punjab’s rights to river waters being inserted by remarking that the river water and territorial issues have been left behind.
The main issue is Khalistan or perhaps now it is self-determination. Obviously Delhi does not want Punjab to exercise even the existing meager powers in favour of Sikhs and Punjab.
However in keeping with the provisions of the Rajiv-Longowal accord the Centre will soon declare amnesty to political prisoners bot a vast majority of Sikh youths will not be covered on the ground of ‘involvement in violence’. This declaration will be a clever maneuver so that Mann and his Akali colleagues parade it as a great victory for the Panth and its struggle.
These emerging political trends however are likely to meet with resistance from the powerful militant groups who are now a force to reckon with in Punjab’s politics as compared to the situation that obtained at the time of the Rajiv Longowal ‘accord in 1985. But again this factor could be neutralized by the massive presence of the Indian Army as per the calculations by Delhi.
Already the Panthic Committee comprising Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal and others issued a strong warning to Mann not to follow in the footsteps of Longowal. However the other committee comprising Dr Sohan Singh and others has so far been keeping silence. That may be due to the fact that junior leaders of the committee alone have functional presence around here.
These junior leaders have to rely on a group of professors whose skill in drafting statements is profound but who have yet to reveal their prowess in the sphere of realpolitik a sphere in which Brahmans have no parallel.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 18, 1991
