Dissidents dine as Badal dangles appeasement carrot

It was for the first time that the rebels, both from the Akali Dal and the BJP, closed ranks in the Vidhan Sabha during the just concluded Budget Session. Besides this, Ravi Inder Singh, who has emerged as leader of the dissidents, significantly, supported the line of the BJP on Article 370 of the Constitution on the floor of the House. All along, the Akali Dal has been opposed to the scrapping of Article 370. This is being seen as an effort on the part of Ravi Inder Singh to placate the BJP.

The dissidents claim the support of Bhullar and Sathiala. A statement has been circulated today purportedly signed by Balbir Singh Bath and Kartar Singh Pahra, expressing full confidence in the leadership of Badal. Both these MLAs are considered to be in the dissident camp.

The Chief Minister’s camp made frantic efforts late last night to contact some of the MLAs over the police wireless network.

The dissident camp claims they are just short of majority in the Akali Dal Legislature Party and hope to cross the magic figure within the next few days, especially after the Chief Minister has started rewarding the MLAs with the offices of profit.

Sources close to the Chief Minister maintain that there is no cause for panic, but Badal cannot be complacent. Moreover, it is being said even if the dissidents are able to hit the magic figure, the Chief Minister can always opt for dissolution of the Vidhan Sabha.

The discontent is mainly in the Majha area comprising the border districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur. The MLAs in Amritsar district have been complaining against the domination of one family.

It is the role of the BJP high command which would be crucial in any eventuality. It is precisely for this reason that Ravi Inder Singh has tried to project himself as a leader who would support the party, even on Article 370. Till now, Badal is the leader among the Akalis most acceptable to the BJP. Even on the transfer of Udham Singh Nagar of Uttar Pradesh to the proposed hill state of Uttaranchal, which has been vehemently opposed by the Akali Dal, Badal has not so far embarrassed the BJP.