Chautala authorised to take
decision on support to BJP
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Oct 17 — The Working Committee meeting of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) concluded at Jind on expected lines, today, with the party authorising Mr Om Parkash Chautala to take final decision on the issue of support to the BJP-led government at the Centre.

Three resolutions were passed at the meeting that was chaired by Mr Chautala and attended by MPs, MLAs and senior party leaders. However, Mr Devi Lal did not attend the meeting due to ill health.

The party has decided to postpone the proposed march to New Delhi on November 1. The decision was taken in view of the forth-coming elections to the Assemblies of Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Mr Chautala was also authorised to take decision on the party's strategy in these elections. As on now the party has decided to go on its own in all three states. However, it has kept all its options open on alliance.

Later talking to reporters Mr Chautala pointed out, "there are no untouchables in politics". He did not rule out the possible alliance of his party with the BJP in these elections in all the three states.

Mr Chautala said, three resolutions were passed at the meeting. These included seeking the dismissal of the Bansi Lal government, withdrawing the Bill on privatisation of power and compensation to farmers hit by recent untimely rains and floods.

Mr Chautala explained that the party was of the opinion that Haryana was a fit case for the imposition of President's rule as law and order situation had deteriorated. He said, the matter was already raised with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.

The INLD leader demanded Rs10,000 per hectare compensation to farmers, hit by the rains and floods. He pointed out while the Punjab and the Delhi governments had awarded compensation at the rate of Rs 3000 and Rs 5000 per hectare, respectively, the Haryana farmers need more relief as sowing of new crops would get further delayed.

He also sought the withdrawal of the Bill on the privatisation of power sector. He pointed out, the Bill was passed in the Assembly in the absence of opposition members.

The party sources said, most of the speakers expressed disappointment at functioning of the BJP-led government at the Centre. Some of them felt that party was not getting its due. Some leaders, according to the sources, said that the party should give "issue based support to the BJP-led government instead of unconditional support

UNI adds: Mr Chautala had recently expressed unhappiness over the replacement of Mr Sahib Singh Verma as Delhi Chief Minister and accused the Centre of ignoring the vital interests of Haryana.

Later talking to newsmen, Mr Chautala said that a final decision in the matter would be taken after consulting party chief Devi Lal, a former Deputy Prime Minister.

Responding to a question, Mr Chautala said that he was not happy with the performance of the BJP government at the Centre as during its seven-month-old rule prices had gone up and law and order had deteriorated "It has failed to tackle the growing unemployment and settle the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue yet," he added.