Opinion ‘Positions are not important,prestige is’

I also remember the day,when as a five-year-old I canvassed for the first time. I stood on the dais in Gidderbaha asking people to vote for you. I even remember the exact words I spoke,“Mere taiyaji nu vote pao”. My political career may have started that day. But it was in 1995,when you chose me to take on the might of the Beant Singh Government,that I genuinely cut my political teeth. That day you and my father jointly blessed me. More important is that you taught me not to bend before injustice,and to stand up for what is right. That is a lesson which I value and will continue to value throughout my life. It was not easy those days. As I realise now,it is not easy even today. Standing up for what is right may never be easy in times to come.

There comes a time in the life of an individual when he or she has to take a principled position which is based on what is right. This is consistent with the core values on which I base my politics. And this decision,which I take today,is supported by the lesson that I learnt from you and my father on that fateful day in 1995.

During the four terms as MLA,and for almost four years now,as the Finance Minister of Punjab,all my decisions have been guided by just one aim ¿ to serve the best interests of Punjab and Punjabis. All my decisions have been founded on the bedrock of one principle — that each decision and opinion has to be well thought out and should be supported by informed facts.

In serving the best interests of the state of Punjab,I have consistently refused to accept ill-informed opinions based on self-interests of conceited individuals. I have refused to compromise on the issue of principles,and I have not allowed myself to be dictated by vested parties. When I embarked upon the reform process in Punjab,these self-serving interests,who are unable to look beyond their bank balances,refused to take a careful look at the balance sheet of Punjab.

When I tried to take a step,attempts were made to shackle my feet. When I tried to speak,my voice was sought to be muzzled. When I tried to move,I was sought to be restrained. When I tried to serve the best interests of Punjab,personal interests tried to derail me.

But I refused to be cowed down. Because I know that my intentions are clear and my heart is in the right place. I refuse to be intimidated by a fringe of lumpen party men who wish to drown the voice of reason by their decibel levels.

The panic reaction within a section of the Shiromani Akali Dal after I spoke about unburdening Punjab of its debt is confounding. It not only speaks of a lack of political maturity,but also of a low level of self-confidence and esteem in the party. Coming from the second oldest political party in the country,which did not bend before the British during the pre-Independence days and was the vanguard of freedom of expression during the emergency days,this reaction is unexpected. Is the party edifice now so weak that it cannot even discuss issues; and that all party resources,the bureaucracy and police are being marshaled so that the issue that I raised should not be discussed? More than that,I am saddened by what has happened inside the party as well. Stalwarts of the party,who were famous and generals who took on terrorists during the dark days,have today been reduced to foot soldiers. They are being forced to kowtow to new entrants who have neither political acumen nor administrative experience. Frankly,I can only pity such former stalwarts and I will not join them. I do wish them luck so that they can continue to reap the benefits of kowtowing.

I will now touch the issue of debt burden of Punjab,which I have been discussing with you all along. I am willing to stake my entire political career on the issue of Punjab finances.

I thought the attempt to remove the stigma of debt from the face of Punjab would be lauded. But it seems that a certain section in the party wants Punjab to continue to be debt ridden. I do not accept this premise. I thought that only our enemies would wish that Punjab continues to remain debt ridden. But just to reiterate,what I have told you and the council of ministers repeatedly,that if immediate remedial steps are not taken,Punjab will default on its repayments in another 2-3 years.

I would rather spend a few difficult years today,than allow opportunities for an entire generation to be wiped out just because some leaders do not understand elementary economics — i.e. you can only spend if you have the money. Scores of farmers committed suicide during the past decades because of the debt trap. And now,a few self-concerted individuals want Punjab to follow the same route. I will not accept this.

The stakes for Punjab are very high. It is a question of the very survival of the well-being of the state,as well as that of the next generation. My personal stakes are very low. It is a question of Punjab’s honour and I shall continue to strive for its rightful place under the sun.

Positions are not important,prestige is. Ministries are not important,honour is.

Keeping in view the above mentioned facts,I hereby resign from the position of Finance Minister of the Punjab.

Dear CM Sahib,I am proud of the day in Gidderbaha in 1995,when after 17 years,my victory was responsible for the revival of political fortunes of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Today,I cannot contribute to the decline.

Jai Hind.

The writer was,until Tuesday,finance minister,government of Punjab