The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today made it clear that meeting the Prime Minister on issues of State interest was the sole prerogative of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and that the latter did not require any permission or signal from anyone for this purpose.Reacting to an outburst by senior BJP leader Balramji Das Tandon, SAD general secretary Maheshinder Singh Grewal said no one could choose when and how the chief minister or even Deputy chief minister Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal could meet Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. “Meeting the PM is a continuous process and both the CM and the Deputy CM will continue to do so as and when required”, he said.
Grewal said it did not behove a veteran leader like Mr Tandon to come out with intemperate statements and espouse what should be the basis of SAD-BJP ties. “The SAD is a fiercely independent party which has established itself after an era of sacrifices. We have our own views on certain issues based on a commitment given to the people of Punjab. Such issues form the core of our philosophy and entity as a political party and we cannot compromise on the same at any cost”, the SAD leader said.Grewal also pointed out there was a certain decorum which needed to be observed in all coalitions. “All pergent views if any should be first discussed in the SAD-BJP coordination committee meetings. Going to the press with one’s own views on critical issues does not solve any problem. Such actions only aim to create mistrust amongst the people about SAD-BJP relations when no such mistrust actually exists between the two partners”, he said.Speaking about SAD-BJP relations, the SAD leader said both partners were committed to an inseparable relationship. As far as the SAD is concerned, it is the only party which has always offered unconditional support to the BJP; Mr Grewal said adding chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had even stood with the BJP when it was treated as untouchable by all other mainstream parties.
Urging Mr Tandon to introspect on his statements and not do anything which could be misconstrued as playing into the hands of the detractors of the SAD-BJP government, Mr Grewal said “Shri Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of the NDA government of which the SAD is a valued and trusted ally. We should take necessary steps to strengthen Mr Modi’s hands at this crucial juncture as we finally have our own government at the centre after facing ten years of discrimination at the hands of the Congress led UPA government. Striking discordant notes just for the sake of criticism when a mechanism exists to discuss and resolve all issues will not help the cause of Shri Narendra Modi. All responsible leaders should desist from such activities”, the SAD leader added.