BJP to go solo in Punjab
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said that for his party, principles are more important than the number game
Chandigarh: After the BJP decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab on its own, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday said that for his party, principles are more important “than the number game” as he slammed the national parties for “playing politics” over votes.
The BJP on Tuesday announced that it will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on its own in Punjab, indicating an end to the negotiations for re-stitching an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Reacting to the BJP statement, Badal said, “The SAD is not an ordinary political party. It is a party of principles. For us, principles are more important than the number game.” He said that the 103-year-old SAD’s responsibility was to protect “qaum” (community), Punjab, and maintain brotherhood and peace in the state. “The Akali Dal was not formed to form the government,” he said. He accused the Delhi-based national political parties of playing politics over votes. “We are not (playing) politics over votes. For us it is Punjab,” he added.
He also pointed towards decisions taken by his party’s core committee a few days ago. “Our core committee has made it clear what our principles are,” he said.
Earlier, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said the BJP is going to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone. This decision was taken based on the feedback of people, party workers and leaders. The decision has been taken for the future of Punjab and the betterment of the youth, farmers, traders, labourers and the downtrodden, he further said.
The development comes almost a week after senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, when asked about the possibility of a tie-up with the SAD, had said, “Negotiations are on. We want all NDA parties to come together.”
Last month also, Shah had said that talks were going on when he was asked about the alliance with the SAD. Amid the buzz over re-stitching the alliance, an indication towards going solo in the Lok Sabha polls was given by the SAD on March 22 after its core committee meeting.