Akali Dal unifies and comes in strong

Chandigarh, November 27, 2016.

Punjab was in a flux after the 1966 elections. The United Front government of the Akali Dal (AD), Jan Sangh and communist parties, led by Justice Gurnam Singh, did not last too long. Internal divisions in AD brought about another government, led by another Akali leader, Lachman Singh Gill, in November 1967. This regime had the outside support from the Congress which was eventually withdrawn in August 1968. The state came under President's Rule and elections were conducted while Punjab was directly administered by the Centre.  

Click here for a larger view of The Tribune Page 1 published on February 17, 1969

The Congress campaign started with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi addressing a public meeting in Golbagh, Amritsar, on January 3 in which she “called upon the people of Punjab to forge unity not only for the preservation of hard won freedom but also for achieving economic freedom.” 

Part I Election series:  Punjab Assembly Elections 1951-52

Part II Election series: Punjab Assembly Elections — 1957

Part III Election series :  Punjab Assembly Elections — 1962

Part IV Election series :  Punjab Assembly Elections — 1967

Part V Election series :  Punjab Assembly Elections — 1969

• Akali Dal unifies and comes in strong
• Back To Front
• United Front to form stable Govt
• 3 Akalis, 2 J.S. Men in Gurnam Singh’s team
• Akali – J.S Front fails to win majority
• Day of Defeats for Stalwarts in Punjab
• Congress to function as power opposition – Zail Singh
• Peaceful Poll in Punjab
• Liquor Flows As Campaign Warms Up
• Congress Faces Strong Challenge From United Front
• J.S.- Akali Alliance To Keep Congress Out of Power: Vajpayee
• Only Congress can deliver the goods: P.M.
• J.S., Akali Dal reach complete Accord

On the other hand, the two factions of Akali Dal — Sant and Master — had merged. The Dal had also arrived at an electoral accord with the Jan Sangh. The two parties announced a joint campaign. Giani Zail Singh was President of the state Congress, and he described the arrangement as an “unholy alliance between the political parties diametrically opposed to each other in ideologies. 

The Akali Dal emerged as the single largest party by capturing 43 seats. Congress came in second with 38 seats. The Jan Sangh won eight seats, one less than in the previous election. The Akali Dal and the Jan Sangh formed a coalition ministry which was supported by the CPI, CPI(M), SSP, Swantra parties and an Independent candidate. Justice Gurnam Singh was named by Sant Fateh Singh as Chief Minister, and the new Cabinet was heavily loaded in the favour of the Akali Dal (Sant). 

Justice Gurnam Singh was unable to rule for long and on March 25, 1970, an Appropriation Bill introduced by the Chief Minister was rejected 44-22, with the Congress and the CPI abstaining. The government fell. Later, the Akali Legislative Party unanimously elected Parkash Singh Badal as its leader, and on March 27, he was sworn in as Chief Minister of Punjab.