Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who is leading the BJP’s campaign in Punjab ahead of the Assembly elections, on Monday ruled out the possibility of the BJP joining hands with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Responding to questions from reporters, Saini said the BJP’s alliance was with the people of Punjab. He also expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in the state.
Asked about SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Saini said Modi is the Prime Minister of the country and represents around 140 crore people. He said the Prime Minister could meet anyone.
Saini said he was surprised that the meeting had led to speculation about a possible political tie-up. He said some people had even started celebrating, suggesting that Badal had finally received an appointment.
Although Saini has dismissed the possibility of an alliance, Badal’s meeting with Modi has drawn attention because the Punjab Assembly elections are just months away.
The BJP and SAD had remained allies for more than 20 years. Together, they formed the government in Punjab three times, from 1997 to 2002, 2007 to 2012 and 2012 to 2017.
Their long-standing partnership came to an end in September 2020 after disagreements over the Centre’s three farm laws.
Tensions between the two parties grew during the farmers’ protest. The SAD first supported the farm laws but later opposed them and called for their withdrawal.
The Akali Dal eventually left the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Both parties fought the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections separately and faced major setbacks at the polls.
Saini also criticised the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab. He alleged that the Bhagwant Mann-led administration had become even more corrupt than previous Congress governments.
He also attacked the government’s ‘Mawan Dhiyan’ scheme. Saini claimed that the government was offering cash support to women ahead of the elections while, at the same time, benefits such as widow pensions had been stopped for some of the same beneficiaries.
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