Punjab at Stake, and More Romesh Thapar PAROCHIAL, short-sighted politicking, backed by every type of vicious violence is slowly suffocating the spirit of Punjab. Even as a confused Barnala is sought to be toppled by an ambitious Badal, with the exposed Tohra looking on, the killer squads of the extremists are given free play. The power game, as it is played in Delhi under the guidance of Arun Nehru's security apparatus, is to offer a careful mixture of advice, warnings and thrusts which do not assist Barnala to assert himself.