Resignation of Tohra sought
By PPS Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 16 — In Akali politics, turns and twists are as swift as these are unpredictable, often acting as a catalyst for the process of either assimilation or elimination.

Therefore, one has to view the two meetings of the SGPC executive members held during the day, one in Chandigarh and the other at Amritsar in this light. Against 10 members attending the Chandigarh meeting there were five members present at the Amritsar meeting.

Both sides claim to have held "legal and valid" meetings. These, however, are not parallel meetings. The one in Amritsar was summoned by the SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, while, the meeting held in Punjab Bhavan here is being described as an "informal" meeting, where members did some stocktaking of the functioning of the SGPC and the role of its President, who is President for the 25th time.

The Chandigarh meeting was ostensibly engineered by the SAD President. It adopted a resolution calling for the "resignation" of Mr Gurcharan Singh in the larger interest of the Panth and better management of the gurdwaras. The four-page statement is more in the nature of an indictment of Mr Gurcharan Singh.

Either side takes shelter in the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, to put a stamp of "legality and validity" on the meetings held today. Despite the strident postures adopted by the Badal and Tohra camps efforts for a patch-up have not been entirely given up. Some well-meeting individuals are believed to be mediating. They have, so far, failed to break the ice.

One sigh of relief which the Badal camp heaved today was on account of the statement of Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh in Amritsar that he would "not" interfere or intervene unless he was approached by the two warring factions and their leaders to do so. He, however, like everyone else, has dubbed the present stalemate and crisis as "most unfortunate", coming as these do when the SAD is in power in the state and when the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa are due in April, 1999.

The statement of Mr Gurcharan Singh that he intended to step down from the pedestal of presidentship of the SGPC on April 15, next year, is not being taken seriously. He is still willing to quit if the SAD President so ordains. If Mr Parkash Singh has reason to feel "hurt" because of the open expression of views by Mr Gurcharan Singh, the letter is equally "upset" over the lay-back position taken by Mr Parkash Singh allowing his men to continue to shoot at him, denegrading him.

Numerically, Mr Parkash Singh's faction has an upper edge. Mr Gurcharan Singh may appear to be on the "defensive" but the fact remains that the SAD's workers and organisational wing is in a state of "disarry". There is "discernible frustration and demoralisation" which Mr Gurcharan Singh sought to air and articulate. Mr Parkash Singh also admitted this today in Amritsar.

Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who was present in Punjab Bhavan when the 10 SGPC Executive members met, told TNS that there was no question of "split" in the Akali Dal. On the "validity" of the meeting, he said "two-third members of the Executive are present and in the Executive rests the powers of the "board" (general house of the SGPC), which it executes". What the members have today said was tantamount to a "no confidence" in the presidentship of Mr Gurcharan Singh, he added.

The resolution, inter alia, expresses concern over the way gurdwara management and Panthic platform had been used by Mr Gurcharan Singh to grind his "personal, political axe" for "self-aggrandization and greed". Mr Gurcharan Singh, it says, has been repeatedly creating "fissures and encouraging factionalism in the Panth and engineering fall of successive Panthic governments." All this made the "quom" feel "despondent and frustrated".

Since Mr Gurcharan Singh is deeply involved in eroding the government and his acts aid and abet anti-Panthic forces, it is pertinent that he be "exposed". It is "ego hassles" which make him act and say the way he does, perhaps, as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy. He also plays with Panthic sentiments. This streak in his personality and character has been there all along and even tolerated. His policies of confrontation have been embarrassing. It is pertinent to break "our silence".

The "dictatorial" policies of Mr Gurcharan Singh has put gurdwara management in bad shape. There is more "politicisation" of religion rather than propagation and proliferation of Sikh religion, leading to growing cult of apostacy. Therefore, it is time the SGPC came of age and its working is revamped for which far-reaching changes are envisaged. While the government is engaged in spreading the message of "oneness of human spirit" and raising a suitable "memorial" at Anandpur Sahib, Mr Gurcharan Singh is working at cross-purposes.

Those who have issued the signed statement are Mr Balbir Singh Naushehra Pannua, Mr Bhagwant Singh, Mr Suba Singh, Mr Raghujit Singh Karnal, Mr Hardalbir Singh Amritsar, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, Mr Joga Singh Phagwara, Mr Gurpal Singh Gora, Mr Kewal Singh Badal and Jathedar Satnam Singh Bhai Rupa.

With these development the 'fight" for supremacy in Akali politics has now been literally taken into the citadel (SGPC) of Mr Gurcharan Singh.

Though Capt Kanwaljit Singh said there was no need for any "ratification" of the resolution passed by 10 SGPC members here others contest his claim. It is being maintained that the quorum was complete even at the Amritsar meeting attended besides Mr Gurcharan Singh by Mr Kuldip Kaur, Mr SS Bhaur, Mr SS Cheema and Mr Gurvinder Singh, Mr Bhaur is SGPC Acting President.

For any vote of "no confidence" against Mr Gurcharan Singh, the general house, has to meet. There has to be a gap of three months followed by 21 days notice between two sittings of the general house. In the present case, the house cannot be summoned before January 22 next. In other words, horsetrading of SGPC members is not ruled out. There are 185 members of whom 170 are elected, 15 are coopted and five are by virtue of their office: they are the five head priests, who have no voting right.

The final word on Akali politics is difficult to say as events continue to unfold. Nevertheless, this has begun to shadow other important issues in the State.

Patch-up chances remote
 Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Dec 16 — Even as Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, offered to mediate if he was approached by both sides, there was no chance of bringing about rapprochement between the warring Akali leaders Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Mr Parkash Singh Badal-atleast in the near future. This impression was gathered after interviewing Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Mr Tohra, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta and Bhai Ranjit Singh separately. It is notwithstanding the claims of Mr Calcutta that he could bring rapprochement within five minutes if both leaders were ready to sit with him.

Mr Badal was non-committal on meeting Mr Tohra for the time being he said this issue could be discussed at a democratic level at party fora including the meeting of the Political Affairs Committee or the Working Committee meeting to be held after the Assembly session. Mr Badal parried all questions on "patch-up" with Mr Tohra in the near future. He, however, to a specific question, said that Mr Tohra had indulged in indiscipline by asking for his resignation publicly: When asked about the chances of the end of the present political crisis within the SAD, Mr Badal quipped "only God knows". When asked about the demand of some SGPC executive committee members, SGPC members, of Mr Tohra's resignation as president of the committee Mr Badal said that it was for them to comment on this issue. On the probability of any patch-up between him and Mr Tohra, Mr Badal said "only time would tell". He again parried a direct question about the mediation by Akal Takht. On this, he said he held Bhai Ranjit Singh and Akal Takht in high esteem. When asked if he was hopeful about a solution to the present crisis in the SAD he said "no comments". On the other hand, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra said that he would not approach Akal Takht for bringing rapprochement with Mr Badal for the time being. He said from my side there was no "bombardment". We are at the receiving end and did not want to say anything against Mr Badal or his supporters. He said that he was for full term of the Badal government. He said let them (Badal and his supporters) say anything. He would continue to keep mum for the sake of "Panth". He said Mr Badal was still his leader and he could resign as president of the SGPC if he (Badal) desired so.

Bhai Ranjit Singh Akal Takht chief has said that both warring Akali stalwarts leaders should themselves resolve their differences for the sake of Panth. He said he could not intervene till both leaders approached him for a rapprochement. He, however, said that he would like to be neutral. To a question Bhai Ranjit Singh said that the Punjab government had failed to fulfil aspirations of the Sikhs and voters". "The SAD-BJP government has not done anything positive for the Panth so far". He appealed to the second-rung leadership of the SAD including ministers not to give public statements against each other. Such statements would certainly damage the "panth". He regretted that there was no leader of the stature of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal and Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur who could act as a catalyst to bridge the "gulf" created between two groups of the SAD. In the given circumstances the second rung leadership of the SAD should play a constructive role. Bhai Ranjit Singh said. He said both Mr Tohra and Mr Badal were two sides of one coin and should understand importance of each other. He however, expressed the hope that both leaders would come closer with the passage of time. To a question, Bhai Ranjit Singh said that he was not approached by any of the warring group for bringing rapprochement so far. He said if anybody would cause any damage to the "panth" he would be exposed before the 'panth'.

Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, who was appointed secretary of the SGPC today, talking to the press agreed that the decision to resign from the cabinet was "little bit hasty". He said they had to resign to "pre-empt" the move of the party to drop them for being loyal to Mr Tohra. He, however, admitted that Mr Badal spoke to him on telephone when he along with four others resigned from the ministry. A close confidant of Mr Tohra, Mr Calcutta also admitted that Mr Tohra should have talked to Badal personally to appoint an acting chief of the SAD instead of rushing to the press. He, however, supported Mr Tohra by saying that he had not committed any "sin" by giving certain 'suggestions to Mr Badal. In a democratic party the leaders like Mr Tohra had the right to give suggestions for streamlining' the party and the government. He said Mr Tohra had mass base and nobody could do any harm to him.

Sounding a note of caution, Mr Calcutta said that the SAD would be doomed if it failed to contest the forthcoming "mid-term" Lok Sabha elections unitedly.

Mr Calcutta said what action Mr Badal had taken against those ministers, MLAs, SGPC members and other leaders who gave "derogatory" statements against Mr Tohra if he (Mr Badal) was talking about breach of discipline by Mr Tohra for going to the press on certain points.

While Mr Badal seems to be in a fighting mood Mr Tohra has adopted a wait and watch policy.

Barnala's intervention sought
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Dec 16 — Mr Onkar Singh Thapar, former national general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, plans to seek Mr Surjit Singh Barnala’s intervention in resolving the crisis in the Akali Dal.

Talking to newspersons here on Wednesday, Mr Thapar said: "We will request Mr Barnala to persuade the two leaders to come to the negotiating table and sort out their differences."

He said: "I have appealed to all the leaders in Punjab and Delhi not to indulge in mud-slinging. The Sikhs are in a microscopic minority outside Punjab and we want unity in the Akali rank and file.’’

Mr Thapar described Mr Parkash Singh Badal as the undisputed leader of the Sikh community. Recalling the sacrifices made by Mr Badal in safeguarding the interests of the Sikhs, he said: "In stature, Mr Badal can be compared to the South African leader, Mr Nelson Mandela."

While Mr Thapar, spoke in conciliatory terms, an approach that has the tacit support of hardliners in the Tohra camp, several other Akali leaders in Delhi expressed concern over the development.

The SAD (Delhi) General Secretary, Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, who is considered close to Mr Tohra, stressed upon the need to resolving the issue straightaway.

"This crisis needs to be resolved immediately for the welfare of the community, the state and the nation. The mandate which the party got was on the strength of the Badal-Tohra unity and this unity should be maintained.’’

On the contrary, the President of the Delhi State unit of SAD, Mr Avtar Singh Hit, launched a broadside against the SGPC President, Mr Tohra.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Hit sought the resignation of the SGPC chief, alleging that he had been acting against the interests of the party.

"Mr Tohra who has been manipulating the SGPC elections for the past 25 years to keep a hold on huge gurdwara funds has always been a destabilising force in Akali politics and his recent statement demanding the resignation of Mr Badal is an example of this.’’

Mr Jaswinder Singh Virk, President of the Delhi State Shiromani Akali Dal (Amristar), described the situation as unfortunate yet unavoidable because of Mr Badal’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said that in towing the BJP line, Mr Badal chose to overlook all issues related to Punjab, including the Anandpur Sahib resolution. "Not only this, he did not keep his election promise. The cold war between Mr Badal and Mr Tohra had been going on for years. The defeat of the Shiromani Akali Dal in the Adampur byelection gave Mr Tohra an opportunity to speak out his mind," Mr Virk said.