6 – man Akali Ministry sworn in

By A.S. Prashar

CHANDIGARH, Sept 29

A Six–member  Ministry headed by Mr Surjit Singh Baranala assumed office in Punjab today, marking the return to power by the Akali Dal after a five-and-a-half-year-long political wilderness.

The Governor, Mr Arjun Singh, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Surjit Singh and his Cabinet colleagues at a simple but solemn ceremony held on the lawns of the Punjab Raj Bhavan amidst tight security.

The five Cabinet rank Ministers are Mr Balwant Singh, Capt Amarinder Singh, Mr Sukhjinder Singh, Mr Basant Singh Khalsa and Mr Major Singh Uboke.

The oath was administered in Punjabi amidst shouts of “Bole so Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”, “Shiromani Akali Dal zindabad” and “Sant Harchand Singh Longowal amar rahe”.

Mr Parkash Singh Badal did not join the Ministry despite day-long efforts by party leaders to persuade him to join the Government. The former Chief Minister was, however, present at the swearing-in ceremony.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and some of his ministerial colleagues, former Punjab Chief Minister Darbara Singh, P.P.C.C. (I) chief Rajinder Singh Sparrow, Leader of the Legislature Congress (I) Party Gurbinder Kaur Brar, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Sant Ajit Singh and several newly elected Akali and Congress(I) M.P.s and M.L.A.s were also present, besides senior officials of the Punjab Government and the Chandigarh Administration and Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

From Raj Bhavan Mr Surjit Singh along with his ministerial colleagues drove to a gurdwara in Sector 8 where they offered prayers. Mr Surjit Singh then went to his office in the Civil Secretariat. He also conducted his colleagues to their offices. Later he held a brief informal Cabinet meeting.

Mr Major Singh Uboke was originally scheduled to join the Ministry as a Minister of State. He was seen protesting loudly shortly before the commencement of the swearing-in ceremony. Mr Major Singh got up to take the oath only after he was assured that he was being included as a full-fledged Minister.

In a Policy statement read out after assuming office as the Chief Minister, Mr Surjit Singh said that his Government would give top priority to the implementation of the Punjab accord.

The people of Punjab, he said, had given the Akali Dal the mandate to heal the wounds of the past and to revive the spirit of Punjab deriving its strength and inspiration from the great Sikh Gurus and saints.

Mr Surjit Singh declared that immediate measures would be taken to raise a memorial to the late Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. He reiterated that his Government would set up a commission to investigate the conspiracy to which the late Sant fell a victim.

Mr. Surjit Singh said he was aware that the youth of Punjab felt hurt and alienated. His Government, he said, would take immediate measures to “end the rule of suppression and repression in Punjab”. A high-powered committee would be set up immediately to start the process of releasing youths from jails and their rehabilitation.

The State Government would pursue the cases of Army deserters and impress upon the Centre to release, reinstate and rehabilitate them in the light of the Punjab accord.

Mr Surjit Singh noted that his Government has assumed office at a moment when the State’s finances were a shambles, the economy was stagnating and employment opportunities were shrinking. It would be the Government’s utmost effort to build the economy by reviving and promoting industry, commerce and agriculture.

The Chief Minister also promised steps to “undo the anti-rural policies of the previous Government with regard to agricultural growth, integrated rural development schemes (focal points) and modernization of education in the rural sector.”

He noted that Hindus, Muslims and Christians had extended their support to the Akali Dal. He would take all possible measures to provide them opportunities for their welfare.

He reaffirmed his dedication to all vital issues that affected peace and progress. “We will pursue vital interests of the people of Punjab within the framework of the unity and integrity of India.”

The Chief Minister thanked the people of Punjab for reposing their confidence in the Akali Dal and said that his Government would be guided by the dreams and ideals of the late Sant.”

Mr Surjit Singh was profusely garlanded and virtually mobbed by his supporters. His security guards had a tough time controlling the crowd. Mr Parkash Singh Badal was also profusely garlanded.

Final party position in Punjab Assembly

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 6

Communist Party of India (CPI) 1

Indian National Congress (INC) 32

Janata Party (JNP) 1

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) 73

Independent (IND) 4

Total 117

winners 

Mr Balwant Singh (SAD) Lohian

Ms Gurbinder Kaur (INC) Muktsar

Mr Parkash Singh (SAD) Giddarbaha

Mr Raghunath Sahai (INC) Sujanpur

Vaid Om Prakash Dutt (BJP) Jullundur North

losers 

Mr Ujjagar Singh (SAD) Balluana (SC)

Mr Harcharan Singh Hero (INC) Zira

Mr Satpal Mahajan (BJP) Amritsar North

Sat Pal Dang (CPI) Amritsar West

Ms Bimal Kumar (IND) Pakka Kalan (SC)