BJP should negotiate and bargain over seat sharing in Punjab to put its hand strongly to make a vote-bank in the rural areas instead of taking a alliance divorce...

With the civil elections ahead in Punjab, Both the sworn alliance political parties – Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) are having joint and close door meetings, to form strategy for contesting the election jointly or independently. While the third major political party is too watching closely to get a chance to cash upon the situation.

The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP alliance in Punjab is on the backfoot after former DGP (Prisons) Shashi Kant revealed names of four senior Akali Dal leaders among others who are allegedly involved in the drug racket running in the state.
The very interesting point of the alliance of SAD-BJP is that it was friendly in Punjab but enemy in Haryana. Both, BJP and SAD have been running an alliance government in Punjab since 2007 whereas Akalis are also part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Harsimrat Badal from the Akali Dal, is a minister in the Narendera Modi Government.

With the double standard strategy during the elections in Haryana by the SAD for supporting INALO despite having alliance with BJP in Punjab has raised many questions over the continuation of alliance in Punjab.

While the civil elections are likely to be held in a couple of months, formulating of long term strategy for 2017 elections is also simultaneously on cards. In fact, BJP has been contesting elections in alliance with the Akali Dal in Punjab since 1997 and is yet to try its hand independently.

Navjot SinghSidhu, sportsman turned politician & TV actor, has already created a problem for the SAD by his provoking speeches during the elections in Haryana. Even his wife, Dr.Navjot Kaur Sidhi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and Amritsar (East) Legislator has also posed a problem by declaring that BJP should walk out of its alliance with the SAD as the latter did not show due respect to BJP leaders and workers.

There had also been rumours or may be reality that he should be made head of BJP in Punjab and project him as the next Chief Minister. No doubt, Sidhu is a good orator and has capacity to give a tough fight, with his piquant speeches, can motivate the public like Bhagwant Mann of Aaa Aadmi Party. Sidhu is capable of shouldering any kind of responsibility to see him as future state leader.

It is an admitted fact and ground reality that people are fed from the existing system but without any alternative for the moment. The entry of Manpreet Singh Badal at this stage cannot be ruled but he has to make a lot of home work before jumping in this battle.
The relations between SAD and BJP have deteriorated in Punjab after the Lok Sabha polls when leaders of both the parties openly campaigned against each other due to lack of sweetness at both ends.

The only weak point for the BJP is that Arun Jaitley, who was given the Amritsar ticket on the assurance by the Akalis that it would be smooth sailing for him, is now engaged in a neck and neck fight with Capt. Amarinder Singh.

The state of incompatibility of SAD-BJP coalition is clearly visible now with missing of leaders of both the parties at certain functions organized by SAD or BJP but the question is only as to who takes the initiative to ask for the divorce. Though BJP has started making units in the rural areas where SAD has a strong hold, yet BJP has to give a second thought before seeking separation or having a sold feedback.

Frankly speaking, instead of breaking the alliance, it would be better for BJP to move slowly and negotiate and bargain over seat sharing in Punjab for the time being to put its hand strongly over its vote-bank in the rural areas.