Tohra ready to be called former SGPC chief

ANANDPUR SAHIB, March 3: SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra yesterday indicated that he was ready to face the impending no-confidence motio...

ANANDPUR SAHIB, March 3: SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra yesterday indicated that he was ready to face the impending no-confidence motion in the next House meeting scheduled for March 22.

In an interview with this correspondent at the residence of Takht Kesgarh Sahib Manager Udham Singh last morning, Tohra in a lighter vein said: 8220;I am prepared to be addressed as a former SGPC chief8221;.

Although he did not want to disclose his strategy in the House, Tohra said the agenda of the proposal meeting is an important one.

Tohra, who was in a relaxed mood was camping at Udham Singh8217;s residence along with his supporters including his son-in-law Harmel Singh Tohra. Before leaving to participate in the Sant Samaj Conference he said: 8220;I would only participate in the functions where Akal Takht chief Ranjit Singh is invited.

Referring to Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal8217;s assertion that Tohra has backtracked from his previous position by announcing boycott of the Akali Dal functions, the SGPC chief said: 8220;I have only boycotted state functions and not the party functions8221;.

Visibly upset over the allegation of Badal loyalists that he was teaming up with the Congress, Tohra said: 8220;Though Badal wants unity, he is still resorting to brow-beating by wrecking havoc against himself and his supporters8221;.

Tohra reminded that he had shared the dais with Badal in the previous Jorh Mela function at Fatehgarh Sahib and later attended the party meeting of Anandpur Sahib also. 8220;Despite that there is no let up in pressure being rested on me,8221; he said. In the same breath, he criticised Badal for disbanding the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission on the eve of previous Anandpur Sahib meeting.

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Replying to a question, Tohra said he has only reiterated the known position of the Akali Dal on Article 356 by opposing the suspension of Bihar Government. 8220;Badal8217;s decision to back the Centre on Bihar situation was arbitrary in nature8221;, he said.

Asked if he favoured joining the Third Front, he said: 8220;Third Front is the best alternative8221;. Adding that in case the BJP Government falls, the Akalis should keep its options open, he said: 8220;This should not felicitate the Congress at the Centre8221;.

Tohra made it clear that the BJP should enjoy continued support of the Akali Dal and should be allowed to complete its full term.

He, however, lamented that the BJP being a coalition government, could not give a federal structure to the country. In such a scenario, Tohra said, the Third Front comprising of regional parties, would be the best bet.