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BJP allies giving government a bad name, says Jathedar Rachhpal Singh

Unjust demands by the Bharatiya Janata Party's allies are tarnishing the image of the coalition government at the Centre, Shiromani Akali Dal (Master Tara Singh) president Rachhpal Singh said today.

The demand of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its partners for the dismissal of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government in Tamil Nadu even after Prime Minister A B Vajpayee had ruled out misuse of Article 356 of the Constitution, did not augur well for smooth governance at the Centre, the jathedar told reporters in New Delhi.

Jathedar Rachhpal Singh also criticised Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal for his reported statement that former Union Communications Minister Sukh Ram was a ''lesser evil'' than the Congress. The BJP itself had stalled Parliament's proceedings over the issue of corruption charges against Sukh Ram.

In view of fractured verdicts in the last four Lok Sabha elections, all the parties should try to find a way to ensure that polls are held only once in five years, he said.

Congratulating Vajpayee and Home Minister L K Advani on assuming office, the jathedar appealed to them and the Akali Dal to resolve Punjab's problems, including sharing of river waters and the transfer of Chandigarh.

UNI

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