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Save-Panth frenzy at SAD rally
Patiala, December 8 The rally, which started around 9.30 am, continued for more than five hours before folding up at 2.30 pm when the organisers received information that Defence Minister George Fernandes would not be able to make it even by 3 pm. Central leaders I. D. Swami and Vinod Sharma and MP Balbir Punj who made it to the rally made short speeches. It was left to the Akali workers to build up a ‘save-the-Panth’ frenzy. The SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, spoke four times during the rally. He said though the leaders had come forward, it was necessary for the workers also to rise to the occasion. The rally was held in the parking space adjoining the gurdwara complex. As the space was limited, people gathered on the raised platform of the gurdwara on one side and on top of a line of rooms on the other. According to estimates, around 10,000 persons attended the rally even as the Akali leaders claimed that many of their workers had been intercepted while coming to Patiala. Mr Swami talked about the splendid show of the BJP in the recent elections in the four states of the country. He said he expected Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to meet the fate of Mr Ajit Jogi. Mr Vinod Khanna spoke about the ‘maltreatment’ being meted to Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal in jail. He also raised the issue of the Congress government’s alleged high-handedness over the inauguration of a bridge in his constituency of Gurdaspur. Mr Balbir Punj alleged that Capt Amarinder Singh was following the policy of revenge and had nothing to show during the past two years expect frequent administrative changes. The rally also saw an undercurrent of tension among the Akali leaders. Sources said though SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra was in charge of the show, Badal loyalists ensured that MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder managed the stage. This came as a surprise for Akali workers as this responsibility normally goes to former Finance Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh. Meanwhile, the SGPC President presented siropas to Raikot legislator Ranjit Singh Talwandi, Tarn Taran legislator Harmeet Singh Sandhu and Rampura Phul MLA Gurpreet Singh Kangar who will lead a jatha of Akali workers to the Central Jail from Dukhniwaran gurdwara tomorrow. Mr Tohra said 1,000 men would sleep in the gurdwara during the ‘morcha’ so that the agitation could be continued in case the government clamped down on the movement of Akalis in Patiala. Earlier, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa while speaking on the occasion, said the days of the Amarinder government were now numbered. He said the Congress government had been trying to coerce former Akali ministers and workers into giving false evidence against the SAD President but had failed in this effort because of which a case of disproportionate assets was built against him and his family. Former Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan claimed that the family of the SAD President was among the top landed families of the state and had inherited wealth since generations. Capt Kanwaljit Singh appealed to Akali workers of Patiala to take on the responsibility of the successful conduct of the ‘morcha’.The Akali leaders who had congregated on the occasion included former SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badungar, Gurdev Singh Badal, Suchha Singh Langah, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Avtar Singh Hit, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Manpreet Singh Badal, Bhai Manjit Singh, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Rattan Singh Ajnala, Dalip Singh Pandhi, Balramji Das Tandon, Avinash Rai Khanna and Mohal Lal.  |
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