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Akali Dal eyes power for 25 years in Punjab

Staff Correspondent

'Party won't interfere in Govt. functioning'

CHANDIGARH: Setting a target of retaining power for at least 25 years, the ruling Akali Dal in Punjab has embarked upon a detailed plan to strengthen its organisational set-up, including grant of adequate representation to all communities at various levels.

This was announced by the working president of the party, Sukhbir Singh Badal, while talking to reporters after chairing two separate meetings of the party's General Council and presidents of the district units here over the weekend. It was the first such meeting after the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) had nominated him as the working chief.

The Badal Jr, who was recently bestowed the title of "Jathedar" by the apex clergy of Sikh community and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), said that while the party would not interfere in the functioning of the Government, it would make all efforts to get the party's manifesto implemented as well as fulfil the aspirations of the people at the earliest.

Refusing to accept recent clarifications from the Union Government, he claimed that informal and indirect instructions were in place to prevent private players and large corporates from purchasing wheat during the forthcoming procurement season.

He said New Delhi's decision was in continuation of the policies of the Congress, which were against the farming community in general and Punjab in particular. Though the next line of action on the issue of marketing wheat would be decided by the PAC, Mr. Badal said that the party would however, appeal to the Union Government for remedial steps. He recalled that Manmohan Singh led Union Government earlier discriminated against Punjab by excluding its farmers from the special package which had been extended to the southern States.

The Centre, he added, had failed to respond to demands for compensation from the farmers whose crops had suffered extensive damage during the recent rains and hailstorms.

In response to a question, he said the proposal of the Haryana Government to establish a separate Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to manage the Sikh shrines in the State was part of "a conspiracy designed by the Gandhi family".

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