NDA Ally SAD’s Sukhbir Badal Says BJP Will Not Form Government In Haryana

In a veiled attack on the BJP, NDA ally at Centre and Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday said that those who are thinking of forming government in Haryana will sit in the Opposition as the situation in the state is changing too fast.  "The situation is changing too fast in Haryana. Those who are thinking of forming government will sit in opposition,” Badal told reporters while campaigning for SAD candidate Kulwinder Singh Kunal from Ratia seat in Fatehabad district.

When asked about BJP’s poll manifesto, the SAD chief said, "When (a BJP) government is not going to be formed then what comments should I make." The ties between the BJP and the Akali Dal have turned quarrelsome after the saffron party decided to dump the SAD and contest the Assembly elections in Haryana on its own.

The SAD had accused the BJP of backtracking on its commitment to contest Haryana Assembly polls together. Later, it announced an alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal on three Assembly seats.

Last month, Badal had taken a strong exception to the induction of Akali MLA Balkaur Singh into BJP and had described it as "unethical." The SAD has an alliance with the BJP in Punjab and is part of the country's ruling National Demcractic Alliance (NDA).

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Earlier on Sunday, addressing a public meeting in Dariapur, the SAD chief had said it was a "misconception" that there was a pro-BJP wave in Haryana. "There is a misconception that there is a wave in favour of BJP today. It (BJP) will not win a single seat in Sirsa and Fatehabad," Badal claimed.

He sought votes for joint SAD-INLD candidates, claiming the parties belong to villages. Badal said former deputy prime minister Chaudhary Devi Lal and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal always worked for the welfare of farmers and labourers.

“A lot of other political parties are contesting this election. We need to check what is their background. Do they know your problems? They are not connected with you and villages,” he said.

“You know Dev Lal ji and he used to meet villagers regularly and hear them out. This is the difference. Now, does the current CM (Manohar Lal Khattar) of Haryana have any connection with you and villages?”.

(With inputs from PTI)