in 1980, longowal was recalled to preside over the akali party. in this role, he organized large-scale campaigns of civil disobedience to win concessions from india's central government on the longstanding grievances of punjab, and especially the sikhs of punjab. longowal led the akali side in years of frustrating negotiations with mrs. gandhi, talks that served to undermine public faith in the course of peaceful dialogue with the government. this, in turn strengthened the hand of extremists and separatists. in december 1983 longowal invited sikh fundamentalist jarnail singh bhindranwale to take up residence in golden temple complex at the guru nanak niwas and later on in an adjacent building next to akal takht. he called the tough-minded bhindranwale "our stave to beat the government."