SAD uneasy, despite Jaitley’s intervention

Saturday, 18/10/2014

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141018/punjab.htm#3

Chandigarh : Despite a thaw in their ties, following the intervention of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, fissures in the SAD-BJP alliance seem to be getting deeper. With the BJP taking a tough posture on issues of governance and demanding an equal say in running the affairs of the state, the dominant partner (SAD) is beginning to feel the heat.

The outbursts by state BJP leaders and ministers in the Punjab Cabinet and BJP’s bid to take in its fold Akali leaders, such as former police chief PS Gill, has raised the hackles in the SAD camp. Time and again snubbed by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre, the Akalis are a worried lot.

Though publicly the Akali leadership maintains that all is well, the anxiety in the Akali camp is becoming palpable. Senior party leaders say they are sure that the SAD–BJP government will complete its term but the party will have to be prepared for any eventuality before the 2017 Assembly elections. The Akalis are aware that the BJP can ill-afford to snap ties with them at this juncture. The SAD represents the Sikh minority community and is, hence, a help to the BJP in projecting a secular image.

Sources say while the older generation of Akali leaders favour appeasement of the BJP, the younger generation is unwilling to “be bulldozed by the junior alliance partner.” The latter is confident that the SAD can win the elections on its own.

The sources say the party plans to renew its efforts to wean away Congress MLAs. The SAD has 57 MLAs in the 117-member Vidhan Sabha, two short of a majority. Its alliance partner has 12 MLAs. The SAD may wean away Congress MLAs, make them resign and force a byelection.

A section of Akali leaders favour returning to the Panthic agenda to retain its vote bank in the rural areas, especially in view of reports that the BJP is attempting a “reverse polarisation” (consolidating non-Sikh votes. The party could cosy up to the INLD and the Janata Dal (United), if need be, the sources added.

Growing tension
Publicly the SAD claims that all is well with its partner

But the anxiety in the Akali camp is becoming palpable

Senior leaders say they are sure the govt will complete its term

But they say they will have to prepare for any eventuality

They are aware the BJP cannot snap ties at this juncture

The SAD is a help to the BJP in projecting a secular image

SAD using police to punish opponents: Cong
Chandigarh: Former Congress MLA and PPCC spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Friday accused Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal of “using the state police to intimidate and coerce its political opponents”. In a statement issued here, Khaira alleged the recent withdrawal and restoration of security cover to Navjot Sidhu was part of this strategy, to which the Punjab Police had become a convenient tool.