The Hindu : Akali Dal expels ex-MP Tur

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Wednesday, Mar 03, 2004

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Akali Dal expels ex-MP Tur

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 2. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today expelled member of the recently dissolved Lok Sabha, Tarlochan Singh Tur, from the primary membership for alleged anti-party activities.

According to a party release, Mr. Tur has been shown the door for "promoting the interests of the anti-Panth and anti-Punjab Congress party" by indulging in activities prejudicial to the party, even as the SAD president, Parkash Singh Badal had issued warnings to some others reportedly acting against official candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll.

"No one, no matter how big he may be, is larger than the party. There can be no room in the party for those who do not observe party discipline, especially at a time when it was engaged in historic battle against forces inimical to Panth and Punjab," Mr. Badal said in a statement released by the party secretary, Daljit Singh Cheema.

Mr. Badal said that the poor performance of Mr. Tur as an M.P. and his inaccessibility to the party rank and file in the constituency contributed towards the party's decision to replace him and field Rattan Singh Ajnala from Tarn Taran. No local legislator or SAD office bearer had supported the candidature of Mr. Tur, as he had been totally alienated from the rank and file of the party, Mr. Badal said adding that those who had been bestowed with positions of respect by the party should have set an example in disciple. "Unfortunately, Mr. Tur's statements and actions clearly show a shocking preference for selfish interests over party goals, " he added.

Meanwhile Dr. Cheema in a statement released through the party office said that by overtly and covertly taking part in activities aimed at helping the authors of the Operation Blue star, Mr. Tur had displayed a degree of ingratitude to the SAD, which repeatedly bestowed many honours on him.

Mr. Tur's presumption that the SAD was right in nominating him in the past and wrong in giving the same opportunity to someone more deserving, is a clear instance of exaggerated ego which makes him act as if he were bigger than the party", said Dr. Cheema. He said that the party High Command had displayed exemplary restraint in acting against Mr. Tur despite his flagrant violations of the party discipline ever since Dr. Rattan Singh Ajnala had been asked to confront the Congress party from Tarn Taran during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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