Haryana BJP to rake up issue with central leadership

Stung by Indian National Lok Dal-Shiromani Akali Dal (INLD-SAD) truck in the ensuing assembly elections in the state, the Haryana BJP leaders have decided to complain to Central leadership against SAD – a member of the NDA at the Centre.

“We would ask Central leadership to put pressure on SAD of which BJP is an ally in neighbouring Punjab,” BJP Ambala Cantt MLA Anil Vij, who is also leader of legislative group in Haryana assembly, told HT.

Interestingly, the SAD had an alliance with INLD which had fielded its candidates from the same seats – Ambala city and Kalanwali (district Sirsa) in the last assembly elections in 2009. While Congress’ Venod Sharma won the Ambala City seat, the SAD candidate Charanjit Kaur garnered about 34,000 votes while BJP’s Sanjay Sharma lost his deposit.

In Kalanwali seat too, while SAD candidate Charanjit Rori won, the BJP’s Rattan Lal Bamania, got only about 1100 votes – less than 1% of the votes.

Vij said that it was hurting that our own ally in Punjab and at the Centre would fight against us again in Haryana and added that he along with other leaders would complain against SAD to the high command.

“Unlike 2009, this time we have the government at the Centre and would like to have one in the state too,” he added.

Undeterred, however, INLD leader Abhay Chautala told HT that INLD-SAD alliance was rock solid. “Did anything happen when they did it last time, as the BJP and SAD were allies in Punjab then too?” he questioned.