Sukhbir-PM Modi meeting a 'muh dikhayi' not 'roka', says SAD leader Naresh Gujral

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujral has described the meeting between his party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal with prime minister Narendra Modi as "muh dikhayi” and not “roka”.

Speaking to the Tribune after the meeting, Gujral said the sign is that the long-closed door between erstwhile allies has now slightly opened.

Although the meeting led to speculation around the possibility of a realignment between the Akali Dal and the BJP, the latter continues to insist that it will contest on all 117 seats in Punjab elections.

Latest: Punjab BJP chief Kewal Dhillon summoned by Nitin Nabin day after Modi-Sukhbir meet

Gujral, however, said the engagement between top leaders showed they considered the interests of Punjab paramount and were willing to assess one another ahead of polls.

The BJP has been saying it would contest all state seats on its own but there are growing anxieties within as the narrative is slipping after CJP protests and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Education Minister.

Add to that the raging backlash in Punjab to the recent organisational changes which have led to several resignations, a never-heard-of development in the BJP.

Against this backdrop, the meeting becomes significant.

Related news: Sukhbir Badal meets PM Modi ahead of Punjab Assembly polls, fuels SAD-BJP alliance chatter