•But there was also distrust at the Centre. They feared that if a lot of territory were given to Punjab, there would be separatism again. The shadow of Khalistan was there.

No one tried to understand the Shiromani Akali Dal. We are nationalistic and all inclusive in our approach. The Congress, in fact, supported the militants against us.

•Any particular incident?

Take the case of the Mann Dal (Simranjit Singh Mann’s party). They hardly exist, but they still vote for the Congress.

•But I believe in the bypoll they got only 1,000 votes...

... 1,300 votes to be precise and that’s just a fluke. Anyone can manage that.

•There was an era when there was a lot of talk about Simranjit Singh Mann and the separatists. Is that over?

Yes. The people of Punjab were unhappy with the discrimination of the Central Government and the Shiromani Akali Dal was not able to do much. These people promised them what we could not achieve. We stood no chance in the elections. A lot of people supported them and then there was a stage when everyone feared them. The government machinery, secretariat and the judges were also scared. But after a time, this fear turned into hatred.

•We all remember those two-three years when everyone was scared. There were very few people, comrades from CPI and you, despite being a part of the SAD, who stood their ground. But we often wondered why you didn’t speak out more against them. At that time did you ever feel that Punjab would never come out of that?

... contd.