Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal Supremo was today unanimously elected as leader of SAD-BJP Legislative Party setting in motion the process of his swearing-in as Chief Minister of the state for the fifth time. In a joint meeting of SAD-BJP Legislative Party, BJP Party Observer Mr. Shanta Kumar suggested the name of Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, which was proposed by Mr. Ashwani Sharma, BJP State President. Mr. Badal’s name was seconded by Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President SAD and endorsed by Bhagat Chunni Lal, BJP Legislative Party leader, Jathedar Tota Singh and Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, former ministers. Mr. Shanta Kumar and Mr. Arun Jaitely specially came from Delhi for this meeting.
Speaking after his election as leader of SAD-BJP Legislative Party, Mr. Badal said that he was falling short of words to express his gratitude to all MLAs, who have given him this enormous responsibility. He said that when he became Chief Minister for the first time in 1969, he was the youngest CM of the country and now I would be the oldest CM in the country. He said that he has seen all phases of life and performed his duty as CM in various phases of his life. He thanked the people of Punjab for showering their love and affection for him.
Thanking the Bhartiya Janta Party, Mr. Badal said that the relationship of SAD with BJP was emotional relationship and never in the political history there was any trade off with alliance partner as both parties have moved with perfect understanding. He said that he was happy for being given this responsibility but was conscious of the challenges before him in his new term as this government has to fulfill the raised expectations and aspirations of people of Punjab.
Describing this Vidhan Sabha polls as semi-final for 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Badal said that both parties would now work collectively to win all 13 seats, decimating the Congress Party from the political scene.
Earlier in the meeting Mr. Shanta Kumar said that this election marks the decimation of UPA from the center and formation of NDA government. He said that SAD-BJP alliance has broken 46 years record by returning to power for second consecutive term. He said that Mr. Parkash Singh Badal was a towering personality and unparalleled leaders in the polity of country.
Later Mr. Parkash Singh Badal accompanied by Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, BJP Legislative Party Leader Bhagat Chuni Lal, BJP State President Mr. Ashwani Sharma, Mr. Shanta Kumar and Mr. Daljeet Singh Cheema drove to Punjab Raj Bhawan and handed over the copy of resolution electing Mr. Parkash Singh Badal as leader of SAD-BJP Legislative Party to Governor Mr. Shivraj V Patil. The Governor also handed over invitation to Mr. Parkash Singh Badal inviting him to form Government in Punjab.