[b] A mid-term poll in 1969 was necessary due to political parties' failure to form a stable government after the 1967 election.

On 14 December 1968, it received a further set back when Gian Singh Rarewala defected to Akali Dal.

Gurnam Singh publicly declared that the government would bring an official resolution during the budget session in May 1969.

Differences between Akali Dal and Jan Sangh arose over three vital issues, namely:- Akali wanted only Punjabi to the medium of instruction with Hindi as second language, whereas, Jan Sangh wanted Hindi as "mother tongue" of the sizable Hindu minority in Punjab.

[9] By the mid of April 1969, the strength of Akali Dal rose to 48 by inducting four defector from Congress Party and one Independent and this created rift between Coalition partners as Jan Sangh didn't like to lose its identity and become an appendage of the Akali Dal.

[13] By the time, Chief Minister was aware of the manoeuvre, it was too late and the House refused him the permission to move the Appropriation Bill.

His Secretary was authorised to inform him orally that the Governor would be required to dismiss him if his resignation didn't not reach him by the next morning.

A large number of Akali MLAs were furious to not being provides with Ministerial berth or being accommodated in some other profitable manner.

At the end of June, after withdrawal of the Jan Sangh support, the opposition parties challenged the propriety of the continuance of Badal Ministry without a majority in the House.

On 1 July, three members of the ruling Akali Party informed the Governor that they were no longer with Badal Government.

[18] After pressure from Governor, Prakash Singh Badal had called for three day session of State Legislative Assembly to prove his majority in the House on 5 August.

However, question by opposition leaders on such a long delay, later on it was decided to convene the Assembly session on 24 July at 2.00 p.m. On the first day of its sitting two motions of expressing no-confidence in the Ministry was moved.

Those who stood in support were 8 members of Akali Dal (Gurnam faction), 7 of Jan Sangh and 4 of CPI.

[20] In the 1971 Indian general election, out of the 12 contested seats by Akali Dal, only one was won by it and that was too with a narrow margin.

This put a pressure on Akali Dal and specially on Prakash Singh Badal for remaining in the power at Punjab.

The CM also authorised by Party High Command to accept resignation of such among them as were considered corrupt or insufficient by him.

The meeting was to expedite "Operation Toppling" and to install Gurnam Singh as Chief Minister with Congress support.

[23] With the help of the 29 Congress legislators and some more defectors from the Akali Dal, Gurnam Singh planned the downfall of Badal Ministry.

[22] Resignation On the following day, rebel Akalis numbering about 17, including six ministers along with Gurnam Singh sought an audience with Governor to acquaint him with the loss of majority support to Badal Government.