Terming that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP alliance was in the interest of nation as well as the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the national BJP leadership would never severe ties with SAD, which was their oldest ally. Interacting with the media persons before presiding over a Sports tournament on the occasion of Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji here today, the Chief Minister said that there was hardly any issue of confrontation between both the parties as the alliance partners were having an inbuilt mechanism of solving all the issues amicably. He said that ever since the coalition, the BJP has been a part and parcel of the state government and each and every decision has been taken by both the parties with mutual understanding. Mr. Badal said that the BJP leadership was well aware of the fact that the SAD was their time tested ally so there was hardly any question of parting away with each other. “Our alliance with BJP was time tested, so I request the leaders of both the parties to refrain from issuing statements against each other” he added.
The Chief Minister said that since there was no issue of disagreement between both the alliance partners so all the rumors regarding the tug of war between both the alliance partners were highly misleading and was merely a creation of media. He said that all was well between both the coalition partners and nothing has happened all of the sudden which could result in severing of ties between both the parties. “We have always solved every issue amicably and in future also all the matters will be sorted out in a smooth manner” added Mr. Badal.Recalling the glorious tradition of SAD, the Chief Minister said that it was the oldest political party of the country which has made several sacrifices in the national freedom struggle and even in safeguarding democracy in the post independence era. He said that the SAD had produced a galaxy of leaders who had made every sacrifice for the sake of the party and the state. Mr. Badal said that even today the SAD was playing a vanguard role in the political scenario of the country.
The Chief Minister further said that the prime issue before the SAD was to preserve the communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in the state, for which every effort was being made by them. He said that the SAD was committed for safeguarding the interests of the state and no compromise would be made in this regard. “Throughout my life I have struggled for safeguarding the interests of Punjab and I will continue this duty till my last breath” added Mr. Badal.Later addressing the mammoth gathering, the Chief Minister felicitated the people on the Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He said that the first Guru of Sikhs gave the golden sermon of hard work and community kitchen to the masses, which has played a pivotal role in uniting the people. Mr. Badal said that it was a matter of great pride for him to be here amongst the people on this sacred land, where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji had spent his life.
Highlighting the importance of Sports, the Chief Minister said that the state government has giving due importance to promote sports in the state for channelizing the unbounded energy of the youth in a constructive manner. He said that due focus has been laid on popularizing Kabaddi the mother sport of the state amongst the people. Mr. Badal said that every year World Kabaddi Cup was organized by the state government, which has enhanced the popularity of Kabaddi across the globe. On the occasion the Chief Minister also honored eminent personalities from different walks of life including Deputy Commissioner Mr. DS Mangat. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Lok Sabha MP Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahampura, former Minister Bibi Upinderjit Kaur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, Chairman Markfed Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahid, Member Punjab Public Service Commission Mr. DS Mahal and Deputy Commissioner Mr. DS Mangat.