JALANDHAR: The electoral alliance between Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Parkash Singh Badal and Bahujan Samaj Party of Mr, Kanshi Ram in Punjab has caused ripples in a section of the SAD leadership, particularly in Doaba region. Party sources said since the alliance had tacit support of SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra, approval by the 15member political affairs committee (PAC) of the SAD, when it meets at Chandigarh this week was almost certain, A section of both the SAD and BSP leadership in Punjab was surprised by the sudden announcement made by PAC member Sewa Singh Sekhwan, who is not rated very high in the party hierarchy, Mr. Sekhwan is, however, Mr, Badal’s conduit to the BSP chief.
Those Akali leaders who are not happy with the alliance hope that Mr. Badal could retreat incase Mr, Kanshi Ram objected to SAD’s simultaneous understanding with the BJP. Similarly BSP, 100, has kept the rear door open in case the SAD objected to BSP’s possible alliance with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. ‘The Akali sources said at the party’s PAG meeting the Badal Tohra combine should be able to muster the backing of 10 of the 15 members in favor of the alliance.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 27, 1996
