ROOPNAGAR, MAY 18: By expressing its solidarity with the expelled Akali leader and former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the Punjab unit of the Janata Dal is hoping to expand its mass base by cutting into the Akali Dal vote bank in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.Though no seat-sharing formula has been reached as yet, Punjab JD president J.S. Ganesh has indicated that his party is in touch with Tohra. Ganesh said the JD is considerate about injustice meted out to Tohra.
All Patiala-based JD leaders are in touch with Tohra, he said.
Justifying his party's alliance with Tohra, who is being accused of pursuing pro-Sikh agenda, when the Third Front desires to form a secular government at the Centre, Ganesh said, ``Tohra has distanced himself from the Khalistan issue that was raised by Simranjit Singh Mann during the festivities. Isn't that enough?''
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.