Farmers brave cold
SAMRALA, Dec 25 — Fog and cold wave conditions persisting for the past several days notwithstanding, religious festivities and farming operations are continuing unabated in rural Punjab.

Rights panel scope to be widened: CM
JALANDHAR, Dec 25 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today said that state government was taking appropriate steps for widening the scope of the Punjab Human Rights Commission.

24-year wait for land compensation
BATHINDA, Dec 25 — Residents of Bibiwala village whose land was acquired by the Ministry of Defence for setting up a cantonment here in 1974 are still running from pillar to post to get compensation.

Budget session of SGPC after Feb
PHAGWARA, Dec 25 — Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, acting President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, disclosed here today that the Budget session of the party would be held after February.

Gaiety marks X-mas celebrations
AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — Severe cold and an overcast sky did not dampen the Christmas spirit and the most important festival of the Christians was celebrated here with enthusiasm and fervour. The Bishop of Amritsar extended greetings to the people on the occasion and prayed for peace and prosperity.

New Cong panel for Khalsa celebrations
PATIALA, Dec 25 — Capt Amarinder Singh, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee today said that all decisions regarding Khalsa tercentenary celebrations by the party would be taken by a newly-formed 41-member implementation committee and not by any individual.

Panels set up to check fund use

Rape case against 2 teachers

New DCC (Urban) for Patiala

Gang of robbers busted

Chandigarh cos cheat investors

SGPC an independent body: Sikh League

JALANDHAR, Dec 25 (UNI) — Sikh League President Bharpoor Singh Balbir today challenged the claim of Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Parkash Singh Badal that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is a wing of SAD. He said, "the SGPC is an independent statutory body created under the Sikh Gurdwara Act of 1925."

In a statement here, Mr Balbir, considered close to SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra, said if the claim of Mr Badal was accepted by the Akali and Panthic rank and file, it would not only amount to violation of the basic Sikh tenets, which considered religious authority supreme in the Akali’s religio-political polity, but also went against the Representation of the People Act.

He said SAD is recognised as a secular regional political party by the Election Commission of India under the Act and, therefore, a secular entity could not claim supremacy over a religious entity like the SGPC, particularly when the SGPC was governed by an independent Act of the Central Government.

Mr Balbir, former General Secretary of SAD, argued that the Akali faction led by Mr Badal had declined to merge with other Akali factions on the directive of Akal Takht Acting Jathedar in 1994, contending that its (Badal faction) merger would render the party disqualified by the Election Commission if it was seen to be formed on the directive of the Sikh temporal authority epitomised by Akal Takht.

He asked as to how what was claimed to be true in 1994 could be untrue today and how the SAD President now could claim supremacy of over a religious entity even when it was conceded to be a part of the ruling SAD.

The Punjab Chief Minister, while claiming that SAD was supreme and the SGPC was its part as an overwhelming majority of the SGPC members owed allegiance to the SAD, had, however, declined to comment on the 1994 Akal Takht sponsored partially successful move to merge all Akali factions. Barring the faction led by Mr Badal, all the remaining Akali factions then functioning in Punjab had merged to form the Akali Dal (Amritsar) which had then adopted "Amritsar declaration" as its agenda.

After a year-long tug of war for political hegemony between Mr Badal and Mr Tohra, the latter had accepted the former as his leader after the Badal faction won the Ajnala assembly byelection during the Congress regime of Beant Singh.

Except Mr Simranjit Singh, who now heads a splinter of the 1994 Amritsar dal, all other leaders gradually accepted the supremacy of Mr Badal over Akali affairs.

The party under Mr Badal’s leadership never looked back after the Ajnala victory and went on to win the 1996 Lok Sabha election in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party, the 1997 assembly election in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party and also the February, 1998 Lok Sabha election, again in alliance with the BJP.

Commenting on the ongoing war for hegemony between Mr Badal and Mr Tohra, the Sikh League President claimed that at one level it was a war between "feudal elements" represented by Mr Badal and "poor peasantry" whose leadership was being claimed by Mr Tohra. This war, he added, had been going on for almost three decades when both Mr Badal and Mr Tohra started dominating the Panthic affairs after the death of Sant Fateh Singh.

TALWANDI BHANGERIAN (MOGA): Mr Tohra on Friday said that he would reply to the show-cause notice served on him by the Akali Dal Disciplinary Action Committee at an appropriate time.

The SGPC chief refused to comment on the statement of Mr Badal that the SGPC was an integral part of the Shiromani Akali Dal.

Sikhs urge Takht to intervene
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — A spokesman of the SGPC in a written press note has claimed that a large number of Sikh organisations, institutions and prominent Sikh personalities from all over the world have appealed to Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, supreme religious-cum-temporal seat of the Sikhs, to intervene in the ongoing controversy between Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra in the larger interest of the Panth.

According to a press note here today, these messages and letters have been faxed to the Akal Takht secretariat and the SGPC secretariat. The organisations have expressed concern over the infighting in SAD at a time when the Sikhs from all over the world are bracing themselves to participate in the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa. They said Akal Takht should intervene to hammer out the differences between the two Akali stalwarts.

According to the note, prominent among those who have sought the Akal Takht intervention are the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Mata Bhag Kaur (Mai Bhago) Charitable Trust Society of Canada, Akhand Kirtani Jatha Canada, Gurdwara Akal Sahai Society Canada, Sikh Centre of New York, Dharam Parchar Committee Victoria (Canada), Siri Guru Singh Sabha Bristol, Giffin Insurance Agencies, Surrey (Canada) and Sadha Singh, Editor, Punjabi daily 'Panthak Samachar', Karnal.

Brar faces flak for inviting Bhai Ranjit
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — Even as Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Vice-President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, is facing flak for meeting Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, yesterday, the latter has said that he had not consented to take part in the proposed four-day "Deg Teg Fateh Sarbans Dani Yatra" being organised by the PPCC from Muktsar to Anandpur Sahib from January 17 as part of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth. Mr Brar is the convener of the proposed march.

Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta, former President of the Indian Youth Congress, and Prof Darbari Lal, General Secretary of the PPCC and member of the preparation committee of the proposed religious procession, have condemned Mr Brar for having invited Bhai Ranjit Singh to lead the march.

Mr Bitta said that if Bhai Ranjit Singh led the march, he along with his supporters would stay away. Mr Bitta, however, said that he held Akal Takht in high esteem. He said that the Congress being a secular party, Bhai Ranjit Singh should not have been invited to participate in the march.

Prof Darbari Lal, on the other hand, alleged that Mr Brar had not held a meeting of the preparatory committee before inviting Bhai Ranjit Singh.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said that he was unlikely to participate in the PPCC march due to his 'busy schedule'.

He said that during his meeting with Mr Brar at his residence here yesterday, he (Bhai Ranjit Singh) had simply welcomed the decision of the Congress for not taking political mileage out of the tercentenary celebrations. Bhai Ranjit Singh further said that Mr Brar had promised him that the proposed march of PPCC would be purely a religious one and no political speeches would be made. He said he welcomed everybody participating in the tercentenary celebrations, cutting across party affiliations.

It may be recalled that Mr Brar was earlier pushed to the wall by Capt Amarinder Singh, President of the PPCC, and his colleagues for his statement that Akal Takht should intervene in resolving the SAD feud. Mr Brar had later denied having made such a statement to the press.

Interestingly, Capt Amarinder Singh had earlier indicated that the Sikh clergy would be invited to the Congress celebrations.

Meanwhile, Bhai Ranjit Singh has decided to participate in the 'Jor Mela' procession being organised in the memory of sons of Guru Gobind Singh at Fatehgarh Sahib tomorrow.

Official wrangling hits project
Praful Chander Nagpal

FAZILKA: The construction activities at the high-power TV transmitter here, one of the largest in Asia, has been at a standstill for past about four months due to official wrangling.

The necessity of raising this TV transmitter in the border town of Fazilka was felt to counter the decade-long vicious anti-India cultural invasion by Pakistan. The issue of installing the transmitter was vociferously raised many a time in Parliament by different members.

Ultimately the construction of the Rs 5-crore project was initiated in February, 1998, on the Fazilka-Abohar road. It was entrusted to an Allahabad-based government undertaking, Triveni Structurals Ltd.

The construction of the project, having a range of 250 km radius, began at a snail's pace and was abruptly suspended after a mishap on July 31 when three skilled migrant labourers working on the tower at a height of 50 metres fell down and died. No adequate safety measures had been taken when the labourers were at work.

Further enquiries reveal that the construction has been stopped due to non-availability of funds. On other hand, officials of Doordarshan maintain that the construction company is dilly-dallying in making the necessary arrangements for carrying out construction with due safety measures. Experts connected with the construction say that the standard of construction also needs to be probed.

Originally the TV transmitter was planned to be commissioned by end of 1997, but its construction began in 1998.

* * * *

The level crossings at Fazilka are a traffic hazard and death traps. All the three manned level crossings are in bad condition. The about 100-feet stretch of roads between the level crossing on the Fazilka-Ferozepore road and another crossing on the congested SDM court are badly damaged, causing several accidents.

There is a heavy vehicular traffic on the level crossing leading to the SDM court as there are two senior secondary schools and employment, telephone and LIC offices and the Civil Lines locality situated beyond this crossing. Many school children meet with accidents on this stretch. There are big potholes on the road.

The condition of a stretch of the road on the crossing on the busy Fazilka-Ferozepore road is also pitiable.

Another level crossing on road leading to Penchanwali on the outskirts of the town is unmanned. It poses a grave threat to the lives of hundreds of children studying in DAV Centenary Public High School located just across the rail track.

The present demand of the people to convert this unmanned crossing into a manned gate crossing has not been met despite several memoranda to the railway authorities.

* * * *

About 1250 tubewell connections are yet to be released in more than 35 border villages of this subdivision. Some of these connections have not been released for the past more than a decade for want of setting up of 66-kv substation at Karni Khera village, 6 km from here.

A proposal was mooted to lay two 66-kv substations — one each at Rana and Karni Khera villages — during the current financial year. One station was installed at Rana about six months ago. However, the proposal of setting up a substation at Karni Khera has been put off to the Annual Plan for the year 2000-2001. As a result the purpose of setting up the power station at Rana has also been defeated because no tubewell connection can be released out of turn in villages falling under Fazilka subdivision.

Shehnai player opens Harballabh fest
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Dec 25 — The oldest Hindustani classical music festival — the Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan — got off to a colourful start tonight here. The Chief Minister, Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal set off the 123rd festival by lighting the traditional lamp.

Mr Badal paid tributes to Baba Harballabh who started the glorious tradition of "Harballabh sangeet" in 1875 in the memory of his Guru, Tuljagiri Ji.

The sammelan has started with the melodious "shehnai vadan" of Pandit Daya Shankar who hails from a family of musicians. He is one of the representatives of the artistry and excellence that is the hallmark of the Banaras gharana. He was initiated into music by his father shehnai maestro Pt. Anantlal, with strict adherence to tradition.

Pt Daya Shankar has been performing under the auspices of many reputed national and international organisations. In 1975, he was appointed in Afghanistan by the Government of India as a teacher of performing arts in shehnai. He has given many successful solo recitals in Europe and performed in the cultural conference of U.N.O. in New York and at Royal Albert Hall in London. He has many awards to his credit.

On the organisational side, elaborate arrangements are being made this year to ensure proper facilities for the audience as well as the artistes. The Shree Devi Talab Mandir Parbandhak Committee plays an important role every year in organising the sammelan. Stay is arranged free of cost for everybody who comes from outside. Almost 5,000 people are served free langar everyday of the sammelan.

Other organisations such as the Prachin Kali Mata Mandir Parbandhak Committee and various colleges join hand in arrangements.

The Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, District Administration and various other government and non-government organisations come forward year after year to make the sangeet sammelan a grand success. The Harballabh Sangeet Mahasabha consists of prominent citizens of Jalandhar who are devoted to carrying on a great tradition besides promotion of the Indian classical music and preservation of the Indian heritage.

The expenditure incurred on the organisation is met from the contributions made by philanthropists, businessmen, industrialists, and sangeet lovers.

Farmers brave cold
From Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

SAMRALA, Dec 25 — Fog and cold wave conditions persisting for the past several days notwithstanding, religious festivities and farming operations are continuing unabated in rural Punjab.

The Tribune team, which undertook a tour of parts of Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana and Patiala districts today, witnessed colourful processions being taken out at Gharuan, Morinda, Samrala and a few other places to mark both the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh and tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa. Besides, a colourful programme was in progress at the Kharar church to mark Christmas celebrations.

At a number of places, "langars" of tea, snacks and food were organised to mark the religious festivities. A number of buses, cars and other vehicles, which were otherwise slowed down because of "hostile" weather, stopped at these "langars" to the great relief of their occupants.

Though the normal life appears to be partially paralysed because of thick fog and cold wave conditions, the farming operations were continuing in full swing all along the route. At places, farmers were busy irrigating their fields. Spraying of insecticides and pesticides and application of fertiliser were other farming operations in progress in different areas.

Harvesting of sugarcane was in full swing all along the sugarcane belt. A large number of tractor trailers loaded with sugarcanes were heading for mills at Morinda and Budhewal en route.

The situation was no different for vegetable cultivators. Fresh produce of both cabbage and radish was being lifted from fields for transportation to nearby markets. A cross section of farmers said the current spell of fog and cold wave was nothing unusual. "Rather, it is good. We know fog is not only because of low temperatures but also because of irrigating of our fields. This is the ideal time for irrigating wheat crop," a group of farmers sitting by fire, near Samrala, said.

Most of the wayside indigenous gur manufacturing units were at work in and around Kurali and also near Morinda and Khamanon. For some days when the fog was thick and weather became extremely inhospitable, these units also remained closed.

The movement of traffic on most of the State and National highways was more or less normal, especially in the afternoon when the sun came out. Only at a couple of places, the visibility was partially affected because of fog. In fact, in the afternoon, the sun had come out and the entire belt was clear of fog.

One of the contributing factors for lifting of fog was chilly winds which blew across the region. Weather experts maintain that cloudy and windy conditions are deterrents to fog.

Rights panel scope to be widened: CM
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Dec 25 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today said that state government was taking appropriate steps for widening the scope of the Punjab Human Rights Commission.

Mr Badal told reporters here last evening that they have already written to the Centre for bringing about a change in the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to enable the commission to take cognisance of complaints more than one year old.

At present, the State Human Rights commission, like the National Human Rights Commission, can entertain complaints which pertain to a period not more than one year old. A demand for widening the scope of the commission was made in the wake of opposition to a self-styled people's commission, set up under the aegis of the World Sikh Council to probe alleged human rights violations by the police during the decade-long militancy in Punjab.

Several political parties, including ruling coalition partner BJP the principal Opposition party Congress and the Left parties have demanded a ban on the people's commission saying its activities would demoralise the police force. A writ petition is pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the legal validity of the panel.

The state government, a respondent in the case, told the court last month that it proposed to take up the matter with the Union Government for getting the necessary amendment under Section 36 (2) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

24-year wait for land compensation
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Dec 25 — Residents of Bibiwala village whose land was acquired by the Ministry of Defence for setting up a cantonment here in 1974 are still running from pillar to post to get compensation.

In an appeal to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, the land owners have alleged that Defence Estate officials based at Chandigarh had adopted a pick-and-choose method and had paid the enhanced compensation of the land acquired only to a select few.

Mrs Jagsir Kaur, Sarpanch of the village, alleged that enhanced compensation was being paid only to those land owners who "appeased" the authorities concerned.

She said that these land owners should be given the enhanced compensation immediately to alleviate their financial hardship.

Budget session of SGPC after Feb
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Dec 25 — Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, acting President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, (SGPC), disclosed here today that the Budget session of the party would be held after February. He said this after inaugurating a four-day zonal gurmat training camp of girls organised by the student wing of the Guru Gobind Singh study circle at Guru Nanak College, Sukhchainana Sahib.

Provision would be made in the coming Budget session for a medical college at Shahbad Markanda in Haryana. Land for the college had been purchased and work had started, Mr Bhaur said.

Declaring that the live telecast of gurbani kirtan from the Golden Temple would be started soon, he said a contract had already been signed with the Punjabi World Channel in the regard.

Gaiety marks X-mas celebrations
From Tribune Reporters

AMRITSAR, Dec 25 — Severe cold and an overcast sky did not dampen the Christmas spirit and the most important festival of the Christians was celebrated here with enthusiasm and fervour. The Bishop of Amritsar extended greetings to the people on the occasion and prayed for peace and prosperity.

Churches and chapels were illuminated with multicoloured lights and sweets were distributed among the community. In the midnight Mass carols were sung by the different choir groups in convent schools.

SAMRALA: Christmas day was celebrated here today with great enthusiasm. Mr Jacob William, a priest, distributed sweets and appealed to the people to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ.

HOSHIARPUR: Despite chilly weather Christmas was celebrated here today at the Mona Memorial Church. Members of Christian community gathered at the church and offered prayers. Colourful cultural programmes were presented by children and free langer was served on the occasion. Midnight Mass was also held at the church last night.

New Cong panel for Khalsa celebrations
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Dec 25 — Capt Amarinder Singh, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) today said that all decisions regarding Khalsa tercentenary celebrations by the party would be taken by a newly-formed 41-member implementation committee and not by any individual.

He said for the past few days, a number of conflicting reports had appeared in the press regarding the party's celebrations of the 300th year of the birth of Khalsa. Sources said the statement had come in the wake of a report appearing in a section of the press, quoting Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Vice-President, PPCC, saying that Jathedar, Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh, had accepted the invitation of the PPCC (extended through Mr Brar) to participants in the religious yatra to begin from Muktsar on January 14 and to end at Anandpur Sahib on January 17.

Capt Amarinder Singh said the earlier formed tercentenary celebration committee under the convenership of Mr Jagmit Singh Brar had been superseded by the new implementation committee, which would meet at his residence on January 3 to take a final decision on the events.

Pensioners' plea to govt
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Dec 25 — The Punjab Government Pensioners Welfare Association has urged the state government to implement the accepted demands of pensioners immediately.

In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, it was alleged that pensioners were being given step-motherly treatment in the matter of certain facilities.

Members of the association said that the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission of Punjab had not been applied to the pensioners of Punjab by the government so far.

The pensioners also demanded setting up of pension information centres near district treasuries, provision of medical facilities as per guidelines and upgradation of pensioners brochures.

CPI (ML) flays govt on IRA Bill
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Dec 25 — The Punjab Provincial Committee of CPI (ML) has asked the government not to move the Insurance Regulatory Authority Bill and the Patents Bill further and demanded that the government should reject these Bills.

Mr Darshan Singh Khatkar, secretary, PPC, CPI (ML), said here yesterday that by making all preparations for the passage of these Bills in both Houses of Parliament, the BJP and the Congress had committed treachery with the people of India and had once again proved their subservience to "imperialist plunderers" and institutions like the IMF, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation.

He said if the Bills get passed, it would be disastrous for the economy in general and pharmaceutical and agricultural companies in particular.

Panels set up to check fund use
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Dec 25 — To check the embezzlement of government funds meant for development works in the urban and rural areas by the officials concerned the Deputy Commissioner has constituted vigilance committees.

Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, said that the committees constituted at the block level would inspect all the development works done after April, 1997, in the district.

The committees being headed by Additional Deputy Commissioners and Subdivisional Magistrates would submit their respective reports after verification and the administration would take appropriate action.

Mr Ladhar also said subdivision-level committees had been set up to check newly built village link and main roads in the district. Headed by the SDM, the Executive Engineer (PWD), BDPO and MLAs are the other members of these committees.

He said that reports of these committees would be acted upon. These reports would help determine whether the money of the State Government had been actually used as meant for development works in a proper manner or not.

Gang of robbers busted
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Dec 25 — The Jalandhar police has claimed to have busted a gang of robbers by arresting 14 of them and recovering cash and gold.

The SSP Mr Gaurav Yadav, said here today that one. 38 bore revolver, one. 12 bore pistol, one. 32 bore pistol and some ammunition were recovered from them.

The gang was active in the region of Banga. Phagwara, Apra, Goraya and Dusanjha. It used to target employees working at liquor vends.

Rape case against 2 teachers
From Our Correspondent

HOSHIARPUR, Dec 25 — The police has registered a case under Sections 376, 342 and 34, IPC, against two teachers — Equable Singh and Mohan Singh of Government Senior Secondary School at Sarhaamukdian village in this district for allegedly raping a student after mixing some intoxicants in her tea.

In a complaint to the SSP, the Principal of the school said a tour of Anandpur Sahib had been arranged on December 7. At night, the girl went to the room where the teachers were staying and asked for a quilt. It is alleged that she was offered some tea mixed with intoxicants and later raped. The next morning, the teachers threatened the girl with dire consequences if she told about the incident to anyone. Before allowing her to leave, they also forced her to write a statement, claiming that she had wilfully stayed there.

Mr R.P. Mittal, SSP, has ordered an inquiry into the matter.

The accused are, however, at large.

Chandigarh companies cheat investors
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, Dec 25 — Over 10 persons who had reportedly deposited their savings amounting to approximately Rs 20 lakh with agents of two Chandigarh-based companies on the assurance that their money will be doubled within two-and-a-half years are running from pillar to post to get their deposits back. The companies have been identified as Modern Association of Persons and Alpine Floritech Ltd.

In a complaint filed to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Bachan Chand and Mr Ram Kumar said the firms have issued them cheques of Canara Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, and State Bank of Patiala here worth Rs 3.44 lakh which were to be encashed more than 6 months ago. But when they presented the cheques to banks, the cheques bounced.

Bachan Chand and Ram Kumar told this correspondent that the owners of the firms were inaccessible and the agents with whom they deposited the amount are not willing to accept their claims.

New DCC (Urban) for Patiala
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 25 — A new 129-member Patiala District Congress Committee (Urban) has been constituted with Mr Ved Prakash Gupta as its President.

A party release here today said the new DCC had been constituted on the recommendations made by state-Congress General Secretary Iqbal Singh.

Among the prominent leaders in the new unit are Mr Darshan Singh Ghuman, Mr Rajinder Modgil and Mr Gurjit Guri (Vice-Presidents), Mrs Satya Walia, Brij Lal Gupta, K.K. Malhotra, Brij Mohan Goel and Ajay Thapar (general Secretaries). Mr Chiman Lal is the new Treasurer.

The DCC (Urban) has sought immediate dismissal of the government led by Mr Parkash Singh Badal for its failure on all fronts.

A meeting of the DCC held last night under the chairmanship of Mr Ved Parkash Gupta, President of the DCC, passed a resolution saying that the Badal government had failed on all counts, including law and order, communal harmony and the economic front. It had, therefore, no right to continue in power.