Badal claims success for his handling of Sacha Sauda issue

Chandigarh, June 11 (UNI) Claiming success for his handling of the Sacha Sauda issue, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal asserted that his government ''had successfully thwarted what was decidedly a very serious challenge posed by opportunistic elements to the peace and communal harmony of the state''.

''My government deemed peace, understanding and harmony among various sections of Punjabi society as elementary pre-requisites for development'', he said while addressing a media conference today on the completion of 100 days in office.

''Punjab kept its cool even under the greatest provocation during the Sacha Sauda episode,'' he added.

The people, the police and the civil administration acted with commendable restraint, poise and maturity to save the state from a potentially disastrous situation, he said.

The Chief Minister appealed to the people to remain vigilant against ''political desperadoes'' out to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the state and deflect it from its chosen path of peace and prosperity.

He also thanked all political parties for their support in this hour of crisis. '' All the political parties cooperated with the government'', he added.

He said his government had already put an end to the era of unseemly confrontation and started a healthy phase of co-operation, democratic freedom and constructive conciliation.

''After long years, Punjab saw the pleasing spectacle of all political parties sitting together and acting with unanimity even on a most sensitive issue like the Sacha Sauda,'' he added.

UNI