SAD suspends Ravi Inder
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 15 — The Working Committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal today suspended Mr Ravi Inder Singh, party MLA, for his anti-party activities.

Though the resolution (no 6) mentioned about his “expulsion” from the primary membership of the party for a period of six years, the SAD President and Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, got this corrected, asking mediapersons to substitute the word “suspended” instead of “expelled”.

Insiders, however, told the TNS that this change in “punishment” is a sequel to the voice raised in the working committee meeting by several members, who advocated initiating a process of “assimilation” rather than “elimination” to further strengthen the party, particularly, in the wake of the Lok Sabha poll debacle. The need was for forging unity and closing ranks with other factions rather than resorting to expulsions. It is such a sentiment which, perhaps, resulted in giving a mild punishment to Mr Ravi Inder Singh, who has been a member of the party’s Political Affairs Committee as well as that of the Working Committee.

The resolution, inter alia, said that a show-cause notice was served on him. The reply received was far from “satisfactory”. He had rather tried to cloud and circumvent the issue by referring to certain other matters, which put the party’s and government’s functioning in bad light and also reflected on the SAD leadership. Finding fault with the government policies itself showed that the reply was, by and large, vague, it added.

The working committee meeting itself was held amid speculation if it would be held at all following filing of two court cases one in Chandigarh by Mr Ravi Inder Singh, and the other in Kharar by a protege of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra; Mr Jasmer Singh Bala, who was expelled from the party some time ago. It was a day of hectic politico-legal battles which the SAD fought in Chandigarh and Kharar. In the end the SAD able to hold its scheduled meeting at Punjab bhavan.

Barring Mr Ravi Inder Singh, Mr Baldev Singh Khiala, MLA; Mr Ujaggar Singh Rangretta and Mr Mohinder Singh Brar; the others were present. The number present was 37.

Mr Ravi Inder Singh, to recap, has been in the eye of a political storm. He was accused of trying to provoke dissident activities in connivance with the Congress and the SAD faction of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra to cause a revolt in the party, aimed at dislodging Mr Badal. The allegations of his having started a signature campaign and going to the press were also levelled against him.

Mr Badal, who briefed newsmen said that besides the issue of maintaining discipline in the party, the meeting also deliberated upon preparations for the pending byelection in Nawanshahr Assembly segment. A programme of organising conferences on religious occasions beginning December 18 was also chalked out. This will continue till, January 13.

The committee today endorsed all past decisions taken by the SAD outfits, including the Political Affairs Committee. It vested in Mr Badal all powers and authority to take any decision he deemed fit in the interest of the Panth. This empowerment was reiterated in respect of taking disciplinary action against those who tried to sabotage unity and strength of the party.

The chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi was asked to proceed against the 10-odd MLAs who owe allegiance to Mr Tohra. Their case is before the disciplinary panel for over one year. Mr Badal said taking a decision either way rested with Mr Talwandi.

The working committee reiterated its stand that for balanced socio-economic and political development of the states the country would have to adopt the “federal” system of administration. It also stood its ground on Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar issue that it should be “excluded” from the proposed new state.

Mr Badal once again said the expansion of his Council of Ministers would take place soon.

All powers vested in the working committee were today delegated to the Political Affairs Committee, which could meet and decide as often as it felt. The committee also endorsed the PAC decision to expel Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar and Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra from the party.

On “free” power to the farm sector for tubewells, Mr Badal said the matter was not under consideration at any forum nor had the Centre directed the sate. He chided mediapersons to be sure of their “sources” which misled them.

Some of the participants said that members took the opportunity to point out the highhandedness and indifferent attitude of the bureaucracy, which was not responsive to the needs and problems of the people. The members appreciated the quick action against officers of Bathinda district who had passed a resolution against a minister.

There was a free and frank exchange of views. Constructive criticism was also made of the party and the government. The refrain being that in the wake of humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha poll lessons must be learnt and correctives applied.