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Tohra rules out patch-up with Badal

Former Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee president Gurcharan Singh Tohra today ruled out any reconciliation with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal until the latter apologised at the Akal Takht for using his office to foist control over the SGPC and to remove Akal Takht Jathedar Ranjit Singh.

''We have parted company with Badal when he refused to an lend ear to the party workers, ran the party as his fiefdom and handed over the reins of state power to his family and select bureaucrats,'' Tohra told newspersons in New Delhi.

Things stand today as they were at the time of split in the party, Tohra said adding that they would continue to expose the corrupt, inefficient and anti-people regime of Badal which has pauperised Punjab and its people .

After his removal as president of the Sikh religious body by the pro-Badal SGPC members, Tohra floated his parallel Akali outfit Sarb Hind Akali Dal and put up his candidates in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. As a result of the split, the ruling Akali Dal, headed by Badal, suffered a disaster at the hustings, whereas the Congress raised its tally from zero to eight in the state.

Tohra reacted sharply to Badal's statement that his (Tohra's) collusion with the Congress led to the defeat of ruling Akali Dal candidates. He said, ''I am dead against the Congress... I cannot condone the excesses made by the Congress on Sikhs.... But Badal could go to make any compromise with the Congress to remain in power.'' He noted that Badal had started his political career as member of the Congress.

He alleged that Badal had burdened the people of Punjab with a heavy dose of taxes, he shielded corrupt officials and failed to establish the rule of law in the state.

UNI

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