Chandumajra quits party post
By P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — The Akali politics, fractured and faction-ridden, is back on centrestage in less than two years; a war of attrition is on having torn asunder the facade of "Panthic unity".

It was an action-packed day today with new developments unfolding and casting a shadow even on the administration.

First came the news of acceptance of the resignations submitted by five ministers on Monday night. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, drove to Raj Bhavan and handed over the five resignation letters to the Governor, Lt-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd.), recommending that the same should be accepted. A notification was issued later in the day.

Till other arrangements are made the Chief Minister will hold the portfolios of all the five ministers who have resigned.

The five are Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Mr Harmail Singh Tohra, Mr Inderjit Singh Zira and Mr Surjit Singh Kohli.

Thereafter, came the news of Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, MP, submitting his resignation as General Secretary of the SAD on the plea that rather than applying "correctives" the President, meaning Mr Parkash Singh, had ostensibly "precipitated" the matter by allowing strident criticism of the SGPC president. There are indications that his resignation, as in the case of the five ministers, has been submitted to pre-empt any move on the part of Mr Parkash Singh to "sack" him from the post of General Secretary.

In the meantime, the SGPC president arrived in Chandigarh at 6 O' clock today. He spent half an hour with Mr Harmail Singh and other ministers who have resigned in the Sector 39 high security residential colony. He was en route Panthankot to receive yet another "Khalsa march" from Jammu. Enquiries by TNS reveal that he has asked his close-circle men to wait for a day or two before having a detailed discussion.

For newsmen it was a long wait before the Chief Minister made himself available at his residence for a brief while. He parried most of the questions. But maintained that he had accepted the resignations of the five ministers with a "heavy heart". His effort to reach them and talk to them had not yielded any results, hence, his recommendation to the Governor to accept the same forthwith.

Mr Parkash Singh hinted at a Cabinet reshuffle after the winter session of the Vidhan Sabha, scheduled to commence on December 21 next. To a barrage of questions, all that the SAD President said was "I have never in 25 years of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra's presidentship said anything against him or the functioning of the SGPC nor interfered in its functioning. Even now I have nothing against him. As an old colleague, I respect him." However, discipline was important and rather than making public his views on party and government matters the SGPC chief should have used one of the party platforms, he added.

On the other hand, the ministers, who had quit, maintained that they would continue to work for party unity and in no way allow the anti-Panthic elements to take advantage of the internal strife. There is no danger to the government as such. They would ensure that the Congress did not play any mischief. Their only regret was that despite being loyal to the SGPC chief as Ministers they had never acted in any manner to offend the Chief Minister. They had accepted all assignments and decisions as members of the Council of Ministers, which has a collective responsibility and accountability to the people.

Mr Grewal told TNS that even the SGPC President told them early today that they should refrain from issuing any statements to the press and wait, rather than listening to the SGPC chief the manner in which a diatribe was allowed against him by other Ministers tantamount to "character assassination" of a seasoned Akali leader who had given his life for the Panth, added Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta. The allegations and counter-allegations would not help heal the wounds.

One fallout of the political outburst is on the administration itself. The common refrain today was that both the action and reaction on either side have been rather too fast and unwarranted. Once two senior leaders get into such a muddle every effort to extract pushes one deeper into the quagmire. The manner in which officers are sought to be shifted, who are reportedly seen to be Mr Gurcharan Singh's men is being resented.

The Deputy Commissioner, the Subdivisional Officer, the District Transport Officer and the District Public Relations Officer of Patiala have all been replaced. "In fact since the Chief Minister gave a free hand to Mr Gurcharan Singh in Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Patiala more changes are on the cards", confided a senior bureaucrat. Some changes in the police are also in the wings. The entire exercise is being done to clip the wings of the SGPC chief.

In fact even otherwise a major reshuffle of the administration is also on the anvil. With political events overtaking the financial crisis and other matters, the Punjab administration is in a whirlpool of speculation and uncertainty.

The indications in the pro-Tohra camp are obvious. TNS spoke to some MLAs, including Mr Gurdev Singh Shatrana and Mr Hira Singh Gabria, who said their loyalty to Mr Gurcharan Singh was "unflinching". No matter what happened they would not desert him. Some of them hinted that MLAs owing allegiance to the SGPC chief were willing to resign their seats in the assembly to protest against the "highhandedness" of the SAD President.

One of the most anguished leaders TNS met was Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar from Ludhiana. He telephoned Mr Parkash Singh and met him. In a chocked voice he sought from him that the resignations should be held in abeyance, both he and Mr Gurcharan Singh talk one-to-one, the SAD should be strengthened in every respect, and a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee should be called to thrash out all issues. These suggestions were made in the larger interest of the Panth, which celebrates its tercentenary next April, he added. But to no avail.

It is learnt that some of the MPs were even thinking of quitting their seats in Parliament but have been asked to hold back and not to take any hasty decision. The anti-defection Act is being studied.

In terms of numbers the advantage at present goes to Mr Parkash Singh Badal. It seems the timing of the suggestions by Mr Gurcharan Singh has, for once, gone against him, so far. Both in the Vidhan Sabha and in the SGPC general house, the Badal group holds sway. The SAD has a strength of 74 in Vidhan Sabha against 18 of the BJP, 15 of the Congress, two of the CPI, six Independents and one each of the SAD (Mann) and BSP. Both camps are making a head count of their MLAs.

The winter session is scheduled for two days, so far. The business advisory committee is also yet to meet.

For both the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, it was a busy day today. The two held a series of small meetings and consultations with a large number of party men, including Ministers, MLAs and district Jathedars, who thronged the CM's residence to express solidarity with the SAD president.

Informed sources say that at least 10 members of the SGPC Executive also had a closed-door meeting with Mr Parkash Singh where the thinking was to adopt a resolution to "sack" Mr Gurcharan Singh and appoint someone else as "acting" President till the same was ratified in the SGPC general house.

There was an opinion that the second meeting of the general house could not be held before three months, which means not before January 22 next. "But then when a political blitzkrieg is on everything is possible. All means are used to debilitate the other", remarked a Minister.

There was another meeting of some Ministers and party workers at the residence of Capt Kanwaljit Singh tonight, where future possibilities were explored.

The present crisis has cast a reflection on the masses, who gave the Akalis a massive mandate and feel cheated the way their factionalism has surfaced at a time when the state's economy is in bad shape, though there is no immediate danger to the continuation of Mr Parkash Singh as such. But a close watch is being kept how the other camp reacts.

The involvement of the Sikh clergy and Akal Takht is being talked about since the SGPC has a sway over the Jathedar. It seems Akal Takht is unlikely to intervene. But a possibility is not ruled out because in the past too it has been approached to settle personal and political scores by the Akali leadership.

It is a wait and watch situation as the events unfold in days to come. But both Mr Parkash Singh and Mr Gurcharan Singh are keeping the BJP leadership in New Delhi informed of what is happening here.

Tohra offers to resign
Tribune News Service

PATHANKOT, Dec 15 — The ongoing crisis in the Shiromani Akali Dal took a new turn today when Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra offered to resign as SGPC chief for the sake of the Panth if asked by Mr Parkash Singh Badal, president of the SAD.

"Let him (Badal) ask for my resignation, I shall tender it in no time", said Mr Tohra, who had come here to receive the "Khalsa March" which was commenced from Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Harminder Singh Gill, Mr Karnail Singh Pirmohammad, president and secretary-general of the AISSF, respectively were sitting along with Mr Tohra.

Mr Tohra, who seemed upset over the recent developments, however, said that there was no move to topple Badal-led the SAD-BJP Government, nor any attempt would be allowed to divide the Panth, he observed.

He, however, said that he won't ask his loyalists, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Mr Surjit Singh Kohli, Mr Harmail Singh (his son-in-law), Mr Inderjit Singh Zira and Mr Maheshinder Singh Grewal to withdraw their resignations from the Punjab Ministry as these were already "accepted". He refused to answer when asked if some more loyalists would resign from the ministry.

Mr Tohra parried a number of questions as he said that "he is mum over the developments for the sake of the Panth though the other side had built a virtual storm against me".

To a question, Mr Tohra, said that his statement on the resignation of Mr Badal as president of the SAD was "distorted" by a news agency. However, he hastened to add, "let us think for a while that I had committed any mistake, it was the duty of Mr Badal to have called me to sort out the misgivings". He said that when he had already clarified that he had not sought the resignation of Mr Badal but had suggested that he should appoint an acting president of the party for streamlining the organisational structure. Moreover, Mr Badal himself had told me (Mr Tohra) that he could not bear the burden of two posts, about three months ago due to ill health.

Meanwhile, the SGPC has postponed the proposed executive committee meeting of the SGPC for obvious reasons. When asked about the deferring of the executive committee meeting, Mr Tohra said that it was done due to unavoidable circumstances. At least 30 members of the SGPC, including some executive committee members, had strongly criticised Mr Tohra for demanding the resignation of Mr Badal as the president of the SAD.

Mr Tohra said that the "storm" built against him was not due to his statement in which he had demanded the resignation of Mr Badal but it was a part of the "conspiracy" against him, "they were looking for a lame excuse to open a front against me", he said.

On the transfer of the Deputy Commissioner, DTO, DPRO, Patiala after his tussle with Mr Badal, Mr Tohra said that these were "petty things" it won't harm me, he said.

When his attention was drawn towards the demand of Mr Harminder Singh Gill and Mr Karnail Singh Pirmohammad, AISSF leaders that Bhai Ranjit Singh, Akal Takht chief, should intervene to "patch up", Mr Tohra refused to comment. He, however, added that he had opted not to react to the statements of ministers and SGPC members against him for the larger interest of the Sikh Panth. To a question, Mr Tohra admitted that the present crisis in the SAD was not in the interest of the Panth and the state as well.

To yet another question, Mr Tohra said that his statement about poorer performance of the SAD-BJP Government was not out of the context as same was being highlighted by the media. He, however, said that the present political crisis won't adversely affect the tercentenary celebrations of the "Khalsa Panth".

When asked about the solution to the present crisis within the SAD, Mr Tohra said ask those who had created the unpleasant situation.

Meanwhile, Mr Gurinder Singh Shantpura, executive committee member of the SGPC, Mr Harbans Singh and Mr Kashmir Singh both SGPC members who were sitting along with Mr Tohra expressed solidarity with Mr Tohra.

Earlier, Mr Tohra received a massive "Khalsa March" at Madhopur. The march was flagged off by Mr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister of J&K. This is the first inter-state Khalsa March, taken out from J&K, said Mr Harminder Singh Gill, AISSF president. The march would reach Amritsar today evening which would be flagged off by Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht after offering prayers for Anandpur Sahib.

Majority of SGPC Executive backs CM
By Gobind Thukral
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — At least 10 of the 15 members of the SGPC Executive Committee have told the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, that they would seek the resignation of the SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra.

They are believed to have told the Akali Dal president that they are deeply hurt the way Mr Tohra has demanded the resignation of Mr Badal from the presidentship of the dal and criticised his government's functioning.

These executive members had come here to attend a meeting of the SGPC.

Among those who reportedly attended the meeting at the residence of Mr Badal were Mr Kewal Singh, Junior Vice-President of the SGPC, Mr Balbir Singh Pannu, Mr R S Vrik, Mr Bhagwant Singh, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, Mr Satnam Singh, Mr Gurpal Singh, Mr Hardial Singh Shah and Mr Joga Singh. Mr Kewal Singh is the son of the Agriculture Minister, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal.

Mr Badal and his supporters are now contacting each of the 185 SGPC members except those who are close associates of Mr Tohra. Informed sources said so far the Badal camp has been able to establish contact with 90 members. The sources also maintained that Mr Badal was taking no chances and the attempt would be to get in touch with all members. Once this exercise is over which could take in a day or two, the strength would be put on show before the media. A formal resolution seeking Mr Tohra's resignation too would be passed.

Mr Tohra's offer to quit, which was made at Madhopur near Pathankot today, as president of the SGPC once Mr Badal as president of the Akali Dal asked him to resign evoked a mixed response in the Badal camp tonight. Some laughed at this and said Mr Tohra if he wanted to quit did not need any permission or directive from Mr Badal whose resignation he had sought. Others saw a play in this offer. The resignation would come one day, but when the majority of the General House and the Executive demanded it. " We would not violate democratic norms. Mr Tohra is clearly on a weak wicket. His timing for mischief was absolutely wrong", a senior Minister quipped.

In fact, the number game is going on both sides. Mr Tohra is confident of the SGPC Executive siding with him and also the SGPC General House. After all, he has done so much for the SGPC and its members, a Tohra confidant said.

Mr Tohra, who spoke to senior BJP leaders, including Mr Vajpayee and Mr L K Advani, to appraise them of the development, feels he has 23 MLAs with him. The Tohra group is scared of the political clout of Mr Badal as Chief Minister and Akali Dal President, but is not running way away from the fight.

"All our ministers quit last night, showing total solidarity, and Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, MP, resigned from the Dal general secretaryship today. Those who support Mr Tohra would stand by him", a former Minister said. The Tohra group feels their cause is more genuine and they are not after power.

Another strategy on which the Tohra camp is working is preparation of a detailed memorandum listing "corruption and inefficiency" of Mr Badal and present it either to the Akal Takht Jathedar or to the Governor and finally take the issue to the people.

Mr Badal and his supporters are sure of sailing through the present crisis. "We have the total majority of MLAs, MPs and members of the General House of the SGPC. There is no crisis for us at all", Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, said.

Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, son of the Chief Minister and a Minister of State at the Centre, felt there was spontaneous response to the challenge and support for Mr Badal came without asking." It is like another morcha in the offing. Mr Tohra, I think, miscalculated this time. The government would last a full term and it would not disappoint the people of Punjab", he said.

BJP keeping close watch,
Congress apprehensive
By Sarbjit Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — While the Congress party is apprehending that the ongoing tussle between the Tohra faction and the Badal camp may "revive" militancy in Punjab, the leadership of the BJP is keeping a close watch on the emerging political developments.

Mr Birdevinder Singh, General Secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, told TNS on the Trunk phone this evening from Patiala that whenever the Akali factions fight they generate more "fire than light". He said that in the past the "fire", which had erupted from the personality clashes of the Akali leadership, had kept Punjab burning for more than a decade.

About the emerging political developments in the past days he said the Congress leaders in the state have had informal consultations. But a statement in this regard would be issued at an appropriate time. He said that according to the Congress party the SAD-led government in Punjab had "overlived" its term and such a fight between the two Akali factions was nothing new but a repeat of their past history.

He said that in the past also the Akalis had themselves got their governments dismissed by pulling the legs of each other and the same was being done now. He said that the Congress party's main concern was that the state (Punjab) should not suffer on any account due to the infighting of the Akali factions.

He said that one natural consequence of the ongoing tussle would be that development of the State would come to a halt and the Akalis would be more busy to settle scores with each other. He said the Akali factions would try to let down each other and such an attitude would certainly prove very dangerous for the state as past experience show.

Mr Birdevinder Singh said that following the transfers of certain bureaucrats it had become a lesson for all of them that they should not identify themselves with any particular political group, party or leader. He said that such identification could have a very adverse affect on the administration of the state. He said that it was most unfortunate that the Badal Government had certain bureaucrats who were identified with Mr Tohra.

Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, a senior Minister and leader of the BJP, said that his party was keeping a close watch on the political situation. He said the resignations of the Ministers and other political developments which had taken place so far were an internal affair of the Shiromani Akali Dal.

He said that he was hopeful and confident that the BJP-led Government at the Centre with the support of its allies and the SAD-led Government in Punjab with the support of its ally would last their full terms.

But the resignation of Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra from the post of general secretary of the SAD, must have caused alarm bells in the BJP. For the BJP every MP matters in the Centre, keeping in view the very slender majority of the BJP-led Government.

Sort out differences, jathedars tell CM
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 15 — A meeting of the Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib Akali Jathas held at Dukh Niwaran Sahib Gurdwara here today asked the Shiromani Akali Dal president and Chief Minister Punjab Parkash Singh Badal to sort out his differences with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Gurcharan Singh Tohra to defeat designs of the anti-Panthic forces waiting for an opportunity to create cracks in Akali Dal unity.

A resolution to this effect was adopted by workers of the two district jathas held under the presidentship of Mr Rajinder Singh Tohra, president of the Patiala district (rural) Akali Jatha, known to be a confidant of SGPC chief G.S. Tohra.

Prominent among those who attended the meeting included nine SGPC members from Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts besides Akali legislator from Samana Hardial Singh Rajla and Akali Dal Working Committee member Chhajju Ram Sofat.

The meeting by another resolution adopted unanimously, decried the statements being issued against the SGPC chief and called upon the party president to discharge his responsibilities as party chief and direct the party men not to issue statements against senior party leader G.S. Tohra. It also sought action against those who had been levelling charges against Mr Tohra.

It described as unfortunate the recent statements being issued against the SGPC chief and deplored the campaign against him.

Significantly, a supporter of Mr Tohra and MLA from Shutrana Gurdev Singh Sidhu was absent from the meeting. Among the SGPC members who were present at the meeting included Rattan Singh Lahoran, Ranjit Singh Sanaur, Bachan Singh Saphera, Giani Kartar Singh Bhoglan, Tejinder Kaur Setia, Savinder Singh Sabharwal, Jassa Singh Ramgharia, Jaswant Singh Tan and Jaswinder Kaur.

Meanwhile the onslaught on the "Pro-Tohra" officers in Patiala district continued today with the shifting of Patiala Deputy Commissioner Viswajeet Khanna as Special Secretary, Science and Technology, and Sub Divisional Magistrate of Patiala Surinder Kaur Riar as Administrative Officer in the office of the DPI (Primary) and Moonak Subdivisional Magistrate Manjit Singh Narang has been posted as SDM, Patiala. Patiala District Transport Officer Navtej Singh was ordered to be shifted as Deputy Director, Colonisation while District Public Relations Officer Megha Singh has been shifted to Chandigarh and Ujjagar Singh posted here in his place.

Punjab Cabinet to meet today
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 – The Punjab Cabinet will meet here tomorrow morning.

Besides discussing the present political situation it will transact the routine agenda, which mainly pertains to some annual reports to be placed before the Vidhan Sabha besides framing of some rules on sexual harassment of women employees, as per the orders of the Supreme Court.

This will be the first Cabinet meeting after acceptance of the resignations tendered by five ministers, three of Cabinet rank and two Ministers of State