M A I N   N E W S

Des Raj rejoins rebel camp
Mohinder offers to quit, Thakur resigns
From S.P. Sharma and Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 30 — The week-long political crisis in the ruling BJP seems to be heading for a solution after a series of dramatic developments today marked by return of Mr Des Raj, MLA, to the dissident camp, renewed offer of the controversial PWD Minister, Mr Mohinder Singh, to resign and the six rebels’ expressing support to the Dhumal government.

In a related development, it is learnt that Mr Omkar Thakur, OSD, who was another target of the dissidents, has submitted his resignation.

While the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, claimed that the crisis had blown over, the dissidents maintained they had no knowledge of the resignation of Mr Mohinder Singh and Mr Omkar Thakur. They said that the ball was in the court of Mr Dhumal and they would respond only after the resignations were accepted.

The drama began unfolding when the dissident camp presented Mr Des Raj, who was earlier weaned away by the ruling camp, before newsmen at a hurriedly convened press conference.

Mr Des Raj alleged that he was misled by supporters of Mr Dhumal on November 27 when he was told that all other dissidents were meeting Mr Dhumal at Parwanoo.

He said that he was told that Mr Hari Narain Singh, one of the dissident ministers, would be arriving soon and the Chief Minister started discussing his problems with him. Allurements of inducting him in the Cabinet were given and he was assured that the Rajya Sabha member, Mr Kripal Parmar, would no longer interfere in his assembly constituency, he claimed.

Thereafter, he was told that a meeting of the BJP legislature party was scheduled later at the official residence of the Chief Minister at Shimla and so he accompanied them. However, on arrival here he found newsmen waiting at the chief minister’s residence.

Mr Des Raj said that he replied to questions of newsmen in a manner which would not create embarrassment to anyone. Later, he was surprised to find that the other five dissidents were not present at the meeting.

He said that he returned to the dissident fold as on returning to his constituency he found that Mr Parmar was again interfering in selection of candidates for panchayat elections.

All six dissidents, including three ministers — Mr K.K. Kapoor, Mr Ramesh Dhawala, Mr Hari Narayan Singh and legislators — Mr Dulo Ram, Mr Des Raj and Mrs Nirmala Devi, were present at the press conference. Other Shanta supporters, including Mr Radha Raman Shastri, Mr M.N. Sofat, and Mr Khushi Ram Balnath, Vice- Chairman of the HRTC, were also present.

An indication of the direction in which things had started moving came when Mr Mohinder Singh convened a press conference in the afternoon and said that he had urged the Chief Minister to take appropriate action on the resignation submitted to him on April 18 along with other ministers.

However, he launched a scathing attack on the Minister of State for Town and Country Planning, Mr Hari Narayan Singh, a dissident, and sought a high-level probe into the “irregularities” committed during installation of tubewells, for which he accused the Irrigation Minister, Mr Ramesh Dhawala and Mr Hari Narayan Singh. He alleged that the dissidents were destabilising the Dhumal government at the behest of the Congress, HVC and other elements.

He assured that whether or not he remained a minister, he would continue to support the government.

Mr Dhumal refused to categorically answer whether he would accept the resignation of Mr Mohinder Singh immediately. He said he would take appropriate action at an appropriate time.

He said he had maintained that there was no threat to his government and even now the dissidents had made it clear that they would continue to support the government.

He claimed that talks were on and a solution was in the offing.

Earlier, while talking to newsmen, Mr Dulo Ram, a dissident MLA, said that the rebels were not fighting for personal gains, but raising issues which were detrimental to the image of the party and the government.

He reiterated that they would not compromise on the demand to drop Mr Mohinder Singh and removal of Mr Omkar Thakur.

They said that the issues could be settled only when the BJP high command deputed a leader other than Mr Narender Modi for the purpose.

Four partymen supposed to be close to the dissidents — Mr Suresh Bhardwaj, Mr Jai Ram Thakur, MLA, Mr Karam Vir and Mr K.D. Dharmani — had a series of talks with them today.

It is learnt that in a bid to resolve the impasse, it was suggested that Mr Omkar Thakur should no more deal with legislators and Mr Mohinder Singh would be asked to resign after the marriage of his daughter on December 11. However, this was not acceptable to the dissidents, who insisted that both must go. 

Withdrawal of Kanth’s medal sought
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Nov 30 — The Nanavati Commission, set up to probe the 1984 anti-Sikh riots afresh, today issued notice to the Joint Police Commissioner of Delhi, Mr Amod Kanth, on an application seeking the withdrawal of President’s Medal awarded to him.

The November 1984 Carnage Justice Committee filed the application seeking the withdrawal of the President’s Medal as the points mentioned in the citation were incorrect.

The Nanavati Commission, issuing show-cause notice, directed the Delhi police to file a reply within 10 days and fixed the next date of hearing as December 11.

Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, appearing for the committee, said it was surprising that 4,000 persons had been killed, but no action taken against any police official. On the contrary, President’s Medal was awarded for arresting the Sikhs, amounting to rubbing salt on the wounds of victims.

Counsel said the points mentioned in the citation of the award were incorrect as was clear from the orders of the Sessions Court.

The Nanavati Commission also directed the Centre to file the complete records and proceedings of the Misra Commission.