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ELECTIONS '96

Akali Dal to decide on future course of action

A joint meeting of the Shiromani Akali Dal Political Affairs Committee and the newly elected party members to the Lok Sabha has been convened tomorrow at New Delhi to take stock of the political situation in the country after the general election.

Punjab Chief Minister and SAD president Parkash Singh Badal said the meeting would also discuss the agenda to be included in the proposed 'common minimum programme' to be formulated by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies.

However, Badal made it clear that his party will stand by the BJP in thick and thin and would not propose any condition of their own.

Badal made the statement in response to a question whether he would insist on for Surjeet Singh Barnala being made the deputy prime minister.

"Our first aim is to get the BJP-allies government installed at the Centre and we will do whatever is required in this regard," he added.

Badal described the election verdict in Punjab as not only a major political and ideological triumph for the Akali-BJP alliance but also a resounding and unequivocal mandate of intrigue and divisiveness indulged in by the Congress.

The Akali-BJP clean sweep was because of people's faith in the alliance, policies, and programmes and functioning of the government, he added.

When asked why the anti-incumbency factor did not stand in way of the Akalis victory, Badal replied, "We had taken due care of all the factors well in advance."

The chief minister denied the allegations that the elections were not free and fair. He said that there was neither a single violent incident nor any repoll was ordered. The elections in Punjab were most fair and free as compared to the rest of the states in the country.

The allegation that he had bought votes for his son in Faridkot constituency was totally baseless, he added.

When asked whether he subscribed to the point of view that the governments in the BJP allies ruled states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Haryana should resign where the party had not fared well, Badal said, I do not want to interfere in other states politics."

However, he said the Akalis intended to play a very active role not only in the formation of the BJP and allies government but also in reshaping national priorities in the socio-economic sphere and ensure that the fruits of prosperity and development reach down to the common people in the country.

He promised the peace will be maintained at all cost and the rule of law would be observed faithfully.

Elections '98

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