The decision to this effect was taken at an emergency meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the Akali Dal, chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, which was also attended by party MPs. The meeting had been convened to discuss the situation emerging out of the clearance of the Bill by the Vajpayee Government for the creation of the new state.

The Akali Dal seems to have avoided precipitating the crisis immediately and given breather to the BJP-led Government to reconsider the decision to include Ud ham Singh Nagar in Uttaranchal.

Sources here said the BJP leadership prevailed upon the Akali leadership for more time.Briefing media persons after the meeting, Badal said, ``We would oppose the Bill for the creation of Uttaranchal tooth and nail in case Udham Singh Nagarwas not excluded from the proposed hill state. The BJP should reconsider its decision.'' He said the Akali Dal would also mobilise the support of allies including the Haryana Lok Dal, the Samajwadi Party and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

At the same time, he made it clear that the Akali Dal was not opposed to the creation of Uttaranchal.

The Chief Minister hoped the BJP would make amendments even at the last stage to avoid precipitation of the crisis. ``We are firm in our decision'', he asserted.

On the role of Union Minister Surjit Singh Barnala, who represents the Akali Dal and was present in the Cabinet meeting which cleared the Bill, Badal said there was some communication gap as the message to abstain from the meeting did not reach him.