Longowal (Sangrur), Aug 20
In the absence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who are overseas these days, the state-level 27th death anniversary function of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal remained a lacklustre affair today. No national or state-level leader of the BJP visited Longowal to take part in the function.

Haryana ex-CM Om Prakash Chautala (green turban), SAD leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (to his right) and other Akali leaders after paying homage to late Sant Harchand Singh Longowal on his 27th death anniversary. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar

Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala was the only leader at the function who might be considered a top dignitary from outside the state. There was a time when top leaders of the country, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Chandrashekhar, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Nitish Kumar (now the Chief Minister of Bihar), used to take part in the function.

Today was also the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, another main architect of the Sant Longowal-Rajiv Gandhi Accord.

Barring SAD secretary general Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, only the second-line leadership of SAD was present on the stage today. No senior leader from the Majha and Doaba areas was seen at the function.

The Sant Longowal-Rajiv Gandhi Accord took a back seat as only a couple of leaders mentioned about it in their speeches. People had a feeling that SAD leaders had perhaps forgotten about the accord for which Longowal sacrificed his life.

Those speaking at the function criticised the Congress and the UPA government for allegedly propagating corruption in the country. A senior SAD leader termed the Congress as an enemy of farmers and labourers. Some leaders said the Congress had looted the country and discriminated against Punjab.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala said there were no differences among the people of Punjab and Haryana. On the issue of river waters, he said every state watched its interests. He also termed the UPA government as “anti-farmer”.

SAD MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said by not giving Chandigarh to Punjab, the Congress had dumped the Sant Longowal-Rajiv Gandhi Accord. He also held the Congress responsible for the death of Longowal.