Congress hopeful of forming government

From Our Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, March 2 

On the eve of the first informal consultative meeting of the newly elected Congress members of the Punjab Assembly here tomorrow, the Chief Minister, Mr. Gurmukh Singh Musafir, left today for Delhi.

Although Mr. Musafir declined to say anything, according to reliable sources he will try in Delhi to persuade the Congress High Command to relax the conditions for the election of the leader of the Punjab Congress Legislature Party.

Click here for a larger view of The Tribune Page 1 published on March 2, 1967

He is understood to have taken this step in order to facilitate the election of Mr. Hukam Singh, Speaker, Lok Sabha, as leader of the party.

Part IV Election series :  Punjab Assembly Elections — 1967

Read more: 

• A United Front pushes Congress to the Opposition Benches
• Polling in punjab to be over by 5 p.m. on February 19
• Front ministry won't last long, says Zail Singh
• Congress hopeful of forming government
• Gurmukh Singh Musafir Defeated
• Sant Prefers Mrs. Gandhi To Desai
• Electioneering Comes To End
• Punjab and Haryana Go To Polls
• 13 Arrested For Personation In Chandigarh
• A New Chapter
• Congress Setback In Punjab
• Final party position in Punjab Assembly
• Gurnam Singh invited to form ministry

Mr. Hukam Singh did not contest the last General Election either for Lok Sabha or for the State Assembly and as such is not qualified to contest for the leadership under the conditions imposed by the Congress Central Parliamentary Board.

This new turn took place following a meeting late last night between Mr. Swaran Singh, Defence Minister and Mr. Musafir, who reviewed the activities of the Opposition parties, particularly, the decision of the Akalis (Sant group) and the Jan Sangh to form a united front and of the Independents to constitute a group.

Besides, it was felt that the selection of Mr. Hukam Singh might help in securing “responsive co-operation” of the Akalis (Sant group) and the Congress might be able to provide a stable Government.

On the plea of its secular stand, the argument that in selecting the leader the reaction of non Sikhs should also be taken into consideration was brushed aside.

In the light of the future of Mr. Musafir’s Delhi mission, the Congress legislators will consider the whole of the issue of leadership and Ministry making tomorrow. Mr. Musafir is scheduled to return here before the meeting starts at 11 a.m.

Mr. Hukam Singh’s consent, it is learnt, has not been obtained as yet but the State Congress leaders believe that it will not be difficult to get the consent once the High Command agrees to waive the restrictions.

Should the mission fail, the chances of Mr. Gian Singh Rarewala for the leadership will brighten.

Meanwhile, Mr Darbara Singh, who is also a member of the Congress Working Committee, had a meeting with Mr. Mohan Lal, Finance Minister, here today.

Shortly before his departure for Delhi, Mr. Musafir told the Press that he wanted the good of the Congress and the prosperity of Punjab and would take whatever measures ensured them, “If the formation of a Congress Government serves the purpose, the Congress will do so, otherwise it will sit in the Opposition” he added.

Mr. Musafir said he was hopeful of the Congress being able to form the Government. In support of and others had announced that they would not support any communal party.