Badals’ archrival to support BJP in Delhi Assembly poll

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 22

The Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), the archrival 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.

The Delhi elections are scheduled for February 8 which will be crucial for the BJP. The development assumes significance because SAD (Delhi) chief PS Sarna was considered close to the Congress. His stand was against the axial position of the BJP-SAD in Sikh politics due to Badals’ proximity to the saffron party.

The apparent political churning in Sikh politics comes on the heels of BJP eschewing the SAD’s demand for four Assembly seats, which was reiterated by the latter by attributing it to its stand for the inclusion of Muslims in the Citizenship Amendment Act.

“We have no issues with the BJP now after it has shown the Badals their place by not accommodating them in the seat-sharing for the elections,” said SAD (Delhi) secretary general Harvinder Singh Sarna on Wednesday.

“We will not allow the BJP to suffer and let it feel isolated in the face of SAD drifting away from it.” Sarna was all praise for the BJP leadership for dissociating itself with the SAD regarding the Delhi election. “The BJP displayed exceptional courage in taking a moral stand against the Badals.”

With regard the Delhi election, he said in case where there are two Sikh candidates in fray in a constituency, his party would select one for support on merit.

The sequence of events leading to the BJP-SAD fallout started with a convention of Akali leaders opposed to the Badals held last week.

The show of strength was organised by JAGO, headed by Manjit Singh GK, and the SAD (Delhi) which was attended by senior leaders from Punjab, including SAD (Taksali) chief RS Brahampura and Member of Parliament SS Dhindsa who was suspended from the SAD along with his son and former Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa. The event was held under the patronage of Dhindsa. The convention vowed to liberate the SAD and Sikh religious institutions.