CHANDIGARH, India—Hindu right wing political party BJP has brought an interesting twist in the political environment of Punjab by raising the demand of transferring Chandigarh to Punjab, implementing the Rajiv-Longowal Accord. Various leaders of other parties have reacted keenly over the statement made by state BJP chief Kamal Sharma in a press conference.
In a press statement, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh has welcomed the Punjab BJP’s demand and its support for the Rajiv-Longowal accord.
Senior Akali leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, SAD’s senior vice-president, has shown similar solidarity with the demand saying the accord would benefit the state if implemented in letter and spirit, “I was privy to discussions that led to the signing of the accord. It’s main thrust was the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab.”
Amarinder Singh asserted, “It is the best time to give Chandigarh to Punjab since there is a BJP government at the Centre, in Haryana and in Punjab where the BJP is a partner in the government.”
“It is to be seen if the BJP sincerely pursue its demand with the Central government,” he said. He cautioned the party against its alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), saying the leaders of SAD were likely to sabotage any move they saw as an intrusion into their political space.
The former CM of Punjab said it suited the Akalis not to allow the contentious issues to be settled down.
