True federal structure best for good governance: Badal

Badal stated that successive Congress Governments at the Centre and States had failed to recognise and fulfil aspirations of different regional, linguistic, religious and ethnic components in the country.

The dreams of the freedom fighters have been shattered by the way the country has been run. “We are nowhere near the declared goals of social and economic equality than we were before 1947”, he said.

He said the Akali Dal has been demanding drastic restructuring of the Constitution in the light of its experience over the last fifty years.

Punjabisand Tamils were the first in the country to see that the constitutional structure did not fulfil the legitimate aspirations of the people from different regions. The tendency to view regional aspirations as secessionist is also the direct result of the distorted priorities in the Constitution.

The MDMK and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have a common stand on various national issues. Both parties are against Article 356, stand for federalism and more autonomy to the States, he said.

A significant measure of autonomy must be introduced in our constitutional system. Fiscal autonomy will be meaningless if it is not accompanied by a degree of political autonomy. The issue of Centre-State relations should be taken to the masses.

There is a need for greater interaction among the States at people’s level so that landmark contributions such as those of Periyar and Anna are not confined to regional boundaries. He said Punjab could host a national event to commemorate the birth anniversary of Anna and Periyar whileTamil Nadu could reciprocate for the national heroes from Punjab. A strong and proud Punjab and Tamil Nadu are the best guarantees for a strong and proud India, he said.

He blamed the Congress for spreading corruption in the country during its long `misrule’. He urged the people to wipe out the Congress from the political map of the country.

He urged the leaders of different political parties to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to complete the full term of five years and keep the Congress away from power.