Jaspal makes his peace

GANDHINAGAR, May 19: Minister for Jails amp; Rural Housing Jaspal Singh assumed charge on Wednesday morning, after having kept away for ...

GANDHINAGAR, May 19: Minister for Jails amp; Rural Housing Jaspal Singh assumed charge on Wednesday morning, after having kept away for three days in protest against being stripped of the Food amp; Civil Supplies portfolio. He changed his mind after a closed-door meeting with Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel at the latter8217;s residence.

Singh said he was assuming office on a directive from the chief minister. He said the meeting was cordial and that 8220;much of the misunderstanding presumably over the change of portfolio had been removed8221;. He hinted that Patel might give him an additional assignment 8220;in the near future8221;.

Singh had told Patel that he hadn8217;t written to Bharatiya Janata Party BJP leaders L.K. Advani and Khushabhau Thakre about his grievances, as had been reported in a section of the Press.

The ground for the meeting had been prepared by state Bhartaiya Janata Party chief Rajendrasinh Rana and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Sanjay Joshi when they met Singh on Tuesday and asked him not to precipitate a crisis, specially when Lok Sabha elections are round the corner.

Political compulsions might have forced both Patel and Singh to meet on common ground. So far as Jaspal Singh was concerned, it was impossible to stay away from office any longer. And Patel obviously did not want Singh to gang up with other malcontents in the party.

Before the meeting, Singh had told Express Newsline that he would assume the new assignment only after 8220;my honour and dignity is restored8221;. Probably, that meant the portfolio of food amp; civil supplies being returned to him.

And before the meeting with the chief minister, Singh also justified the letter he had recently written to Union Minister Surjeet Singh Barnala, criticising the Barnala ministry for granting a reprieve to at least seven persons booked by the state under the Prevention of Black-Marketing Act.

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Singh was especially peeved about proceedings in the case registered against Bombay Garage filling station owner Rajni Patel Bhagat. It was on this issue that Singh, while holding his previous portfolio, had locked horns with the chief minister.