“The BJP should not induct Akali leaders as BJP members. Nor will the Akali Dal ever try to take BJP leaders into its party fold. The good ties between the two partners must continue,” said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
CHANDIGARH – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is apparently finding it difficult to deal with its alliance partner, BJP. Though on the surface, all seems fine between the two, fissures in the alliance are becoming apparent.
The SAD is upset with the BJP for “poaching” on Akali leader PS Gill. A retired Director-General of Police, Gill had hoped to get the party ticket for the Moga byelection in 2013, after he lost the 2012 Assembly elections. Disillusioned at being ignored, he joined the BJP at a function in Jammu Monday.
Rattled, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal reportedly told a Cabinet meeting this afternoon: “This is not good. The BJP should not take Akali leaders as BJP members. Nor will the Akali Dal ever try to take BJP leaders into its party fold. The good ties between the two should remain.”
Sources say it is clear that the BJP is now trying social engineering in Punjab, by including Sikh Jats in the party which may not go down too well with the SAD. Other leaders in the Akali Dal say they have been left stunned at Gill’s decision to join the BJP. The SAD president, Sukhbir Singh Badal, chose to play down the matter, saying: “Gill did not join the BJP in Punjab, but in Jammu and Kashmir.” Cabinet Minister and SAD spokesman Dr Daljit Cheema said the party leaders would meet Gill to know why he had quit the party.
