SAD-Delhi cozies up to BJP, raises possibility of new equations in Punjab

Ravi S. Singh

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 22

The Shiromani Akali Dal-Delhi, the arch rival of Badals-led SAD, has come forward to support the BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections, raising the possibility of new political equations and alignments in Punjab, too.

“We have no issues with the BJP after it has shown the Badals their place by not accommodating them in seat-sharing for the elections,” SAD-D secretary general Harvinder Singh Sarna said on Wednesday. “We will not allow BJP to suffer and let it feel isolated in the event of SAD drifting away from it.”

JAGO, a political outfit headed by Manjit Singh GK, and SAD-D jointly organised a convention of Akali leaders, including those from Punjab who are opposed to Badals, here last week. The convention vowed to “liberate” SAD and Sikh religious institutions.

The show of strength against Badals was organised under the patronage of Punjab MP Sukhdev Dhindsa who had been suspended from SAD along with his son and former minister Parminder Dhindsa.

Sarna was all praise for BJP leadership for dissociating itself from SAD for the February 8 Delhi elections. “The BJP displayed exceptional courage in taking a moral stand against Badals.”

Elaborating on SAD-D’s stand with regard to the Delhi elections, he said in case there are two Sikh candidates in the fray an assembly constituency, his party would select one for support on ground of merit.