BJP should walk out of alliance with Akalis, says CPS Sidhu
Thursday, 13/11/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141113/punjab.htm#3
Chandigarh : Chief Parliamentary Secretary and Amritsar (East) legislator Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu today created a flutter, declaring that political alliances always posed problems and the BJP should walk out of its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as the latter did not show due respect to BJP leaders and workers. She said the BJP and the RSS were right in strengthening their base in Punjab.
“It is the right time to do so. The BJP must fight the 2017 Assembly elections on its own. In fact, the time is ripe for the party to walk out of the alliance,” she said.She was speaking on the sidelines of a function here to felicitate Hoshiarpur MP Vijay Sampla on his elevation as Minister of State in the Modi Cabinet. “My husband must have certain qualities because of which he is loved by the masses. Often God speaks through the masses,” she said when questioned on the buzz in political circles that former Amritsar MP Navjot Sidhu may soon be made state unit chief. “We are both humble party workers. My husband will take up any responsibility assigned to him by the party high command,” she said.
Questioned by the media on the matter, Sampla evaded a reply. He said he was not authorised to give his opinion on the matter. “Please put the question to Amit Shah (BJP national president),” he said. Playing down differences with the SAD, he said while there could be difference of opinion on certain issues, there was no bitterness between them.Asked to comment on Dr Navjot Sidhu’s remarks on a greater role for her husband in Punjab politics, the state BJP chief, Kamal Sharma, simply smiled. He did not give any answer. However, Phagwara MLA Som Parkash, who was seated next to him, observed: “To see Sidhu as the future state leader seems more the desire of the celebrity couple than that of the masses.” Dr Sidhu accused the Akalis of not honouring their promise to bring about development in Amritsar.
Won’t attend luncheon meetings: Sharma
Chandigarh: The state BJP chief, Kamal Sharma, said on Wednesday that the party’s district leaders would not attend luncheon/dinner meetings called by the Deputy CM. Talking to The Tribune at the BJP headquarters here, he claimed the Akali leadership had planned the meetings on its own without consulting the state BJP. “We do not see any reason for organising such meetings,” he said. Amritsar MLA Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu said despite an invite, she had skipped the luncheon meeting as her party leaders had decided to keep away. — TNS
On the sidelines of Vijay Sampla’s felicitation ceremony
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Welfare Vijay Sampla said he would act as Punjab’s advocate in the Modi government
On the SYL canal and transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, he said dialogue was the best solution
On dynastic politics, Sampla said the times had changed but a deserving person should not be barred from holding office
Sampla claimed his party had always supported the cause of the reserved categories
The minister met Social Welfare Department officials of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh later in the day
He said he would be touring the state besides holding meetings in Hoshiarpur where he had bought a house
