SAD ultimatum to BJP on
Udham Singh Nagar issue

Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 6 — The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Shiromani Akali Dal today unanimously decided to "withdraw support" to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in New Delhi, if Udham Singh Nagar District was not excluded from the proposed hill state of Uttaranchal.

Briefing newspersons after a three-hour meeting of the PAC held at the SAD President's residence, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said the party was still "hopeful" that it would succeed in its efforts to keep Udham Singh Nagar district out of the new hill state. Along with other allies, the SAD would continue to make efforts till the very end to achieve what it had demanded, as per the wishes of the people of Udham Singh Nagar.

The SAD would continue to oppose "tooth and nail" the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttaranchal with "fierce determination" and all force at its command. If despite all its attempts it failed, the SAD would have no option but to "pull out" of the 13-member coalition.

"Friendship" he said, "with the BJP is one thing. But commitment to our own people and duty to uphold their aspirations and wishes comes first and above everything else."

Despite Mr Surjit Singh Barnala being a signatory to the Cabinet decision conveyed to the President on Uttaranchal state with Udham Singh Nagar district included, Mr Parkash Singh said he (Mr Surjit Singh) had endorsed the PAC decision taken today. What had happened was owing to a "communication gap".

Besides the PAC members several members of Parliament, including Mr Satnam Singh Kainth of Bahujan Samaj Morcha, attended the meeting.

Mr Parkash Singh said "unconditional" support to the BJP was meant to convey that "petty issues" would not be allowed to cloud the relationship between the two. Udham Singh Nagar issue was important. He said he did not deny that there were other "equally important" issues concerning Punjab. "But then there is always a proper time for an issue to be taken up. The priority at present is Udham Singh Nagar," he added.

The PAC held detailed discussions. It had met in an atmosphere of "shock and sadness" given the attitude of the BJP though the SAD had repeatedly expressed its opinion and views, including furnishing the opinion of legal and constitutional experts.

The adamant attitude of the BJP has, perhaps, made the SAD take a somewhat tough stand. That it did not outright recall its two Ministers, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala and Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, from the Union Council of Ministers indicates that the SAD will "act and react" logically; not in haste, despite the big challenge it faces to put up a brave face before its own political constituents.

Not only is the SAD determined on its demand but Mr Parkash Singh said even the people of Udham Singh Nagar district had held ‘bandhs’ and ‘dharnas’ and protested being included in the proposed hill state. Nearly 95 per cent village panchayats had passed resolutions to oppose being pushed into Uttaranchal. As many as 275 out of 328 panchayats were opposed to going into Uttaranchal.

The SAD had had several talks with BJP leaders including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. Reasons why Udham Singh Nagar should be kept out were cogently given. Yet the Cabinet recommendation to the President did not taken cognisance of the SAD demand. This has piqued the SAD.

The SAD would align with regional parties within the coalition to demand status quo for Udham Singh Nagar. Mr Parkash Singh clarified that the SAD was not opposed to Uttaranchal state as such. But it was against the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar. Therefore, at every step the party would work overtime against pushing Udham Singh Nagar into Uttaranchal state. That includes voting against the Bill in its present form.

The PAC comprises the following 13 members, including the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Mr Parkash Singh Majitha, Mr Seva Singh Sekhwan, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala and Capt Kanwaljit Singh.

This is the second time the PAC had met on the same issue — Udham Singh Nagar — earlier, it had met on July 5 when it had only "warned" the BJP of the "consequences" with countrywide ramifications. It had talked of "grave concern" and "protested" over the BJP approach and attitude to the issue. The SAD President had led a delegation to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. There was no tangible result. That "warning" has now been converted into a "decision" vis-a-vis SAD support to the BJP-led coalition government.

The SAD was clear when it earlier told the BJP that in case the demand on Udham Singh Nagar was ignored or brushed aside it would be difficult for the SAD to ensure the same level of Sikh voters' support in other states. "After all the SAD must have a face to show as to why it has aligned with the BJP", said an insider. Thus, today's PAC decision signals the beginning of new "turns and twists" in the relationship between the two parties, say observers.

Meanwhile, the developments in Hardwar, which observed a ‘bandh’ on Wednesday has further strengthened the SAD stand. Hardwar is opposed to its inclusion in Uttaranchal.

No threat to govt, asserts BJP

Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Aug 6 — The Bharatiya Janata Party today asserted that the Vajpayee government was not in any danger stressing that the Udham Singh Nagar issue raised by the Akali Dal would be "resolved amicably".

Replying to a host of questions on the reported Akali Dal threat to withdraw support on inclusion of the district of Udham Singh Nagar in the proposed state of Uttaranchal, the BJP general secretary, Mr M.Venkaiah Naidu, said "we have taken note of it and have conveyed to the Prime Minister". The Prime Minister would take an initiative and talk to Akali Dal leaders for finding a solution to the problem, Mr Naidu said adding that "we will not join issue publicly with any of our allies". The issue may also figure at the coordination committee meeting which is scheduled to take place this month, he said.

"We are confident that we will be able to sort out the problem amicably", the BJP leader said adding that "nobody is threatening us". "It is an emotive issue for the Akali Dal", he said.

Elaborating further, Mr Naidu said smooth functioning of the government was a joint responsibility of all of us and "it will be our common endeavour to resolve all the problems". We have to go by consensus, he said.

When asked if the BJP leadership was in touch with the Akali Dal on the Udham Singh Nagar issue drafting the proposed Uttaranchal Bill, Mr Naidu said:" We are in regular touch. We have Akali Dal ministers."

When asked about the Akali Dal’s threat to withdraw their ministers, Mr Naidu said the Prime Minister would talk to the Akali Dal leadership.

Other allies of the BJP,when contacted by TNS, declined to comment on the Akali Dal’s threat to withdraw support.

Asked to comment on newspaper reports that the Akali Dal might pull out of the government on the issue of inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar in proposed Uttaranchal, Mrs Sushma Swaraj said "such an eventuality would not arise" claiming the BJP and the Akali Dal were "in full coordination" on the issue.