Chandigarh: Speculation over a possible alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal has said the situation will become clear within a few days.
Responding to questions about a possible alliance, Badal said he was not an astrologer and that people would know the position soon. He added that the Akali Dal would form alliances only with parties that considered the interests of Punjab.
The statement came amid increased political activity following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim that an NDA government would be formed in Punjab. At the same time, Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon has reportedly spoken about the party contesting all 117 Assembly seats independently.
Badal made the remarks during a press conference at the Akali Dal office in Chandigarh. He was asked about the contrasting statements from BJP leaders regarding the NDA’s electoral plans and the possibility of an alliance with the Akali Dal.
During the interaction, Badal also claimed that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would lose the upcoming Assembly election from Dhuri. He alleged that public dissatisfaction with the Aam Aadmi Party was increasing and predicted that voters would reject the party and bring the Akali Dal back to power.
No formal announcement regarding an Akali-BJP alliance was made during the press conference.
