Vajpayee visit boosts party morale in Punjab

By Sarabjit Pandher

AMRITSAR, NOV. 3. The leaders of the Punjab unit of the BJP are enthused by what they understand as the plan of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, to ``project'' Punjab as a model before the people of the country and world community, for its successful struggle against terrorism and restoring normalcy in economic growth in the State.

Various leaders of the Punjab unit of the BJP, who talked to The Hindu after the conclusion of the two-day meeting of the party executive here this afternoon, disclosed that Punjab's struggle against terrorism and preservation of communal harmony was a highlight of Mr. Vajpayee's address at the end of the deliberations.

Number two in the Punjab Cabinet, Mr. Balramji Das Tandon, said that while addressing the party workers on Friday, Mr. Vajpayee had sought to remove any doubts regarding the party alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), especially when squabble have been reported between workers from both parties at the grassroots.

The leadership of the BJP's Punjab unit is also overwhelmed at the stress laid by the Prime Minister that the country would only be strengthened if the regional aspirations of the people are not only recognised, but also provided suitable expression in the policy making process at the Union Government level. The state leadership of the party feels that this aspect of Mr. Vajpayee's political thrust would help cement ties with the ruling Akali faction as well as generate major ``goodwill'' among the other splinter groups.

Moreover, since September 25, when he was in Killianwali village in Muktsar district, this is the second visit of Mr. Vajpayee to Punjab. He is again expected to be in Amritsar on November 18, in connection with the programmes related to the life of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh and yet another time by the month end in connection with the inauguration of the National games. Such repeated visits from Mr. Vajpayee, who still enjoys an awesome image in the state, could infuse new blood into the party's rank and file, which otherwise has failed miserably to capitalise on the opportunity provided by sharing power in the state for almost five years now.

The President of the BJP's Punjab unit, Mr. Brij Lal Rinwa and another Minister in the state, Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, were of similar views that apart of galvanising the party, the Executive Committee meeting had provided party workers some talking points. They said that the main issues, which were taken up, were terrorism and agricultural policy, where Punjab is directly related. The leaders said that the party's concern about establishing peace and assuring the profitability of agriculture would not only provide an agenda but a major edge over the opposition parties in the elections.

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