Act like a statesman, Capt tells Badal

Patiala, May 16 (UNI) Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today asked his successor Parkash Singh Badal to act ''like a statesman and rise above petty political posturing'' to ensure that the present crisis was defused promptly.

Without directly referring to the Sacha Sauda controversy, Capt Singh, in a statement issued here, said that the tension in Punjab resulting in clashes in many places was ''unfortunate and reminiscent of the terrible years, from 1971 to 1995, which put a great strain on the social fabric of our society.'' While appealing to all Punjabis not to allow ''provocation to destroy the state, the former Chief Minister stressed that it was the duty of the ruling party to ensure peace by proper political management and good governance.

While saying that his Congress government had established communal harmony and stability in Punjab resulting in ''unprecedented development'' and attracting massive investments, Capt Singh put the onus of previous troubled years on the present chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.

''Mr Badal was the head of government, when the trouble started in the 1970s and and 1980s IN the last century. He was well aware of the havoc that was created in Punjab, because of bad political management, indecision and above all in the inability of his government to maintain peace then. We are well aware how the Amritsar incident of that period, set the state on a destructive course. He must now act as a statesman and rise above petty political posturing, to ensure that this unfortune situation eases without delay,'' Capt Singh emphasised.

''Mr Badal owes this to the people of Punjab and I now hope he will set as a chief minister should, with an unbiased mind and in a decisive manner. He must take to the secure future of our state and people leaving politics aside'', Capt Singh added.

UNI