Future of Akalis-BJP alliance depends upon elections in Haryana
The term of the Haryana Assembly expires on October 27 and the Election Commission is keen to complete polls in the state by mid-October to leave time for government formation. However, the assembly polls in the other three states, including Maharashtra where the term of the assembly expires only on December 7, may wait until November-December.
The interesting factor about the alliance is that in Punjab, Badal asserts that the alliance with the BJP is forever but the same does not hold well in Haryana. The Akalis have however, stitched an alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).
The BJP, which has a tie-up with the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) led by Kuldeep Bishnoi, son of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, is all set to oppose the INLD-Akali Dal alliance and the ruling Congress.
The Akalis, especially its seniormost leader and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, have put the BJP on a sticky wicket by siding with the INLD – and by raking up the row over the control of gurdwaras in Haryana.
The BJP and the Akali Dal have been running an alliance government in Punjab since 2007. The Akalis are also part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Harsimrat Badal, from the Akali Dal, is a minister in the Narendra Modi government
The next round of assembly poll is significant as it will be the first test for the Narendra Modi government after its thumping victory in the April-May Lok Sabha polls. For the Congress too, the polls will hold special significance as it faces a tough test in Maharashtra and Haryana due to a strong anti-incumbency factor.
With this background, the sparking clouds could be seen with open eyes over the alliance of Akali-BJP in Punjab too. There was a time when Akali Dal was thinking to get rid of Sukhbir Singh Badal, Dy.CM and Vikram Majithia, Cabinet Minister and under this political strategy, it has targeted in the urban areas and whatever happened in 2012 in municipal council elections was a part of this game.
But now the situation is totally different as in Punjab, Akali Dal looks to be burden for BJP with the formation of BJP government led by Naredera Modi in the centre. In fact, any political party keeps alliance with the other political party, first to come in power and to maintain the status of alliance. Whatever is happening presently, neither the BJP in alliance with Akali Dal cannot come to power during Assembly Elections in 2017 at any cost, nor can it maintain its status in the state.
Sangh family also thinks like that that in Punjab, the political health environment for BJP in Punjab is not in their favour to continue with the Akali Dal. The senior leaders of Sangh are also of the view that under Mission 272 Plus, in Punjab BJP has contested with Mission 59 Plus in Punjab. The contribution of BJP in rural areas is almost negligible. For that, in rural areas, many Congress and PPP leaders are ready to join hands with the condition that BJP should take a Political Divorce from Akali Dal. With the joining of Amit Shah as its President, there are possibilities of drastic changes in the party set up at the states level with special reference to alliance of Akali Dal in Punjab.
On the other hand, certain BJP leaders are ready to keep its alliance with the Akali Dal as Sleeping Partner as they don’t see the bright future immediate on its separation.
Now the political environment is changed, BJP is in the centre with its strong hand and in case the Akali Dal shake hands with INLD in Haryana, the BJP will withdraw its alliance in Punjab and whispering on this issue is already going in the political circles at the top level.
On the other hand, Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab will try to maintain the alliance with the BJP in future. But in politics, what happens at the eleventh hour is beyond one’s prediction. In such a situation, there are possibilities that Badal may play a big game by opening the hidden cards of Panthak Agenda for announcement of mid-term elections.
The interesting factor about the alliance is that in Punjab, Badal asserts that the alliance with the BJP is forever but the same does not hold well in Haryana. The Akalis have however, stitched an alliance with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).
The BJP, which has a tie-up with the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) led by Kuldeep Bishnoi, son of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, is all set to oppose the INLD-Akali Dal alliance and the ruling Congress.
The Akalis, especially its seniormost leader and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, have put the BJP on a sticky wicket by siding with the INLD – and by raking up the row over the control of gurdwaras in Haryana.
The BJP and the Akali Dal have been running an alliance government in Punjab since 2007. The Akalis are also part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Harsimrat Badal, from the Akali Dal, is a minister in the Narendra Modi government
The next round of assembly poll is significant as it will be the first test for the Narendra Modi government after its thumping victory in the April-May Lok Sabha polls. For the Congress too, the polls will hold special significance as it faces a tough test in Maharashtra and Haryana due to a strong anti-incumbency factor.
With this background, the sparking clouds could be seen with open eyes over the alliance of Akali-BJP in Punjab too. There was a time when Akali Dal was thinking to get rid of Sukhbir Singh Badal, Dy.CM and Vikram Majithia, Cabinet Minister and under this political strategy, it has targeted in the urban areas and whatever happened in 2012 in municipal council elections was a part of this game.
But now the situation is totally different as in Punjab, Akali Dal looks to be burden for BJP with the formation of BJP government led by Naredera Modi in the centre. In fact, any political party keeps alliance with the other political party, first to come in power and to maintain the status of alliance. Whatever is happening presently, neither the BJP in alliance with Akali Dal cannot come to power during Assembly Elections in 2017 at any cost, nor can it maintain its status in the state.
Sangh family also thinks like that that in Punjab, the political health environment for BJP in Punjab is not in their favour to continue with the Akali Dal. The senior leaders of Sangh are also of the view that under Mission 272 Plus, in Punjab BJP has contested with Mission 59 Plus in Punjab. The contribution of BJP in rural areas is almost negligible. For that, in rural areas, many Congress and PPP leaders are ready to join hands with the condition that BJP should take a Political Divorce from Akali Dal. With the joining of Amit Shah as its President, there are possibilities of drastic changes in the party set up at the states level with special reference to alliance of Akali Dal in Punjab.
On the other hand, certain BJP leaders are ready to keep its alliance with the Akali Dal as Sleeping Partner as they don’t see the bright future immediate on its separation.
Now the political environment is changed, BJP is in the centre with its strong hand and in case the Akali Dal shake hands with INLD in Haryana, the BJP will withdraw its alliance in Punjab and whispering on this issue is already going in the political circles at the top level.
On the other hand, Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab will try to maintain the alliance with the BJP in future. But in politics, what happens at the eleventh hour is beyond one’s prediction. In such a situation, there are possibilities that Badal may play a big game by opening the hidden cards of Panthak Agenda for announcement of mid-term elections.