Akalis to tie

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 17

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday announced to contest the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in alliance with the BJP.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the SAD core committee here. Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD chief, presided over the meeting.

In the last Assembly elections, the SAD had a tie-up with the Chautala-family-led INLD.

Harcharan Singh Bains, SAD spokesperson, told the media the party had decided to hold a workers’ meeting in Kurukshetra on September 22 to interview candidates interested in contesting the elections. He said a screening committee headed by Balwinder Bhunder had been formed for the purpose.

“All candidates interested in contesting the elections have been asked to submit their applications by September 22,” Bains said, adding the committee would hold negotiations with the BJP on seat sharing for the elections.