By SATINDER BAINS
Punjab may witness three party alliance between SAD, BJP and BSP
CHANDIGRH: Amidst the demand for a strong Shiromani Akali Dal and efforts of patch up between various factions of Shiromani Akali Dal, the speculations of reviving political alliance between SAD and BJP have also been gaining momentum. The reports in media are not without any reason and parleys underneath.
It is learnt that former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and former IPS officer Iqbal Singh Lalpura Chairman of the National Minority commission are working behind the scene to remove bottlenecks in SAD-BJP alliance. In the new framework, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa is expected to occupy major position in the SAD.
It is understood that the so called apology tendered by Sukhbir Badal at Akal Takht for past mistakes is first step to implement the blue print of forging alliance between SAD and BJP before the whistle is blown for Lok Sabha election to be held in beginning of April 2024.
The first reaction on apology by Sukhbir Badal is made by former MP and president of SAD(Panthic) Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa who is already aligned to BJP. He is considered close to Prime Minister Narender Modi and supports NDA at national level. His willingness to return to parent party is a strong indication that BJP has set the pitch for possible alliance.
In the current atmosphere when SAD is isolated from masses particularly members of Sikh community, it may not be feasible for the Badal family to make a direct alliance with BJP. SAD was forced to snap ties with BJP after over 15 years of political bond over three farming bills withdrawn by centre after prolonged agitation by Punjab and Haryana farmers at Delhi border. Former Chief Minister late Parkash Singh Badal who initially supported the three bills had to make a U-turn under political compulsions in the state.
SAD had lost the last assembly elections and could win only two seats out of 117, the lowest tally in its political history due to the wrath of Sikh community. BJP too suffered a similar fate being party to poor governance. Though farmer's agitation was one of the immediate reasons for fall of SAD, the Sikhs were annoyed with Badal family due to over 100 incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and attempts by the then Parkash Singh Badal to protect the real culprits were another factor. The appointment of Sumedh Singh Saini as DGP of Punjab and firing incidents at Bargari and Kotkapura were key burning issues and an apology for dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh pronounced by Akal Takht allegedly at the behest of Sukhbir Badal infused anger against Badal family among the Sikhs.
Sukhbir Badal had made a public apology for the "inability' of SAD-BJP government to arrest the real culprits of of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. He however has kept mum on some other issues. May be he would address these matters along with merger of Akali Dal factions as and when it happens.
Dhindsa who is in the limelight at this juncture had personal and political grudges with Badal family. At personal level Dhindsa felt his seniority is ignored at many levels and the sacrilege incidents were one of the political reasons for him to leave the SAD. It is pertinent to mention here that Dhindsa had written a letter to Parkash Singh Badal demanding resignation of Sukhbir Badal from post of president to save the split in party. Badal had then opted to stood by his son.
The political pundits now again see the possibility of an alliance between Akalis and BJP in the light of Sukhbir's apology at Akal Takht and positive gestures by Dhindsa. A day after the apology episode, a meeting is also reportedly held between senior leaders of Badal faction and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. Now a meeting of his party SAD(Sanyukt) has been convened by Dhindsa on December 23 to discuss the merger with SAD(Badal). Dhindsa is one of the few Akali leaders who has clean image in politics. He is also one of the few surviving Taksali Akali leaders.
Sukhbir Badal after failing to make a dent in state assembly elections was keen for an alliance with BJP but his political compulsions in the state and lack of interest from BJP side put the alliance talks on back burner. Sukhbir Badal was the only opposition leader from Punjab to attend the inauguration of new parliament building when the whole opposition boycotted the event. It was assumed as his inclination to maintain ties with NDA led by BJP.
One thing is clear to Akali and BJP leaders that neither BJP nor Akalis could form the government in Punjab if they contest separately. Looking at Lok Sabha elections BJP understood to have reinvented its political approach towards Akalis. It is in this context that BJP has activated its leaders and Dhindsa to pave way for the alliance with SAD. The apology and bringing SAD factions together is considered the prelude to the main event.
It is believed that after merger of SAD factions, if happens, Dhindsa would be given important role in the SAD. One of the solutions to strengthen SAD could be making Dhindsa working president of SAD or form a committee of senior Akali leaders led by Dhindsa to run the party affairs till Parliament elections are over. It would pave the way for seat sharing between the SAD and BJP in the Lok Sabha which is major issue of conflict in revival of alliance. Sukhbir Badal has hardly any other choice except shaking hands with BJP due to general elections of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) likely to Held after Lok Sabha elections.
The demand of resignation of Sukhbir Badal from the post of president is not only from the rival groups. Many senior leaders of SAD including Prem Singh Chandumajra, Sikandar Singh Maluka and SAD MLA from Dakha Manpreet Singh Ayali have openly expressed their opinion for a change in leadership or at least appointing a working president of the party. Even during the lifetime of Parkash Singh Badal many senior SAD leaders like Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Bibi Jagir Kaur and even Dhindsa raised the banner of revolt against Badal feeling humiliated by handling of party affairs by Sukhbir Badal. They all demanded resignation of Sukhbir Badal.
Former SGPC president late Gurcharan Singh Tohra was the first leader who demanded to appoint a working president of Akali Dal when Sukhbir Badal led a campaign to oust Tohra from party. Tohra was humiliated and large section of Sikh masses aligned with the Tohra faction was annoyed with Badals. Incidentally, the grandson of Tohra is now leader of BJP.
The fact line is that a large section of Sikh peasantry and moderate Hindus in Punjab believe a strong Akali Dal is need of the hour but there is general hatred for Badal family due to allegations of mass corruption and misuse of power to promote family businesses. The rise of mafia rule and gang culture is also by and large attributed to Sukhbir Badal and Bikra Singh Majithia.
Except SAD(Amritsar) led by Simranjit Singh Mann who stands for Khalistan, all other factions are expected to come under one umbrella. Paramjit Singh Sarna president of Delhi Akali Dal has already joined SAD(Badal). Many factions like SAD(Longowal), United Akali Dal and SAD(Talwandi) have already lost their identity. Other factions like SAD(Panthic) have little significance in Sikh politics.
SAD may continue its alliance with BSP and a three-party alliance can’t be ruled out in Punjab. SAD had contested assembly elections with BSP as its partner but it could not yield desired results. However, dalit votes are as important for BJP as for the SAD or any other party. Punjab has 27 percent dalit population, highest in the country. BSP is not in position to contest elections independently.
It is too early to say if there would by any role for other members of Badal family like Biram Singh Majithia and Harsimrat Kaur Badal in the new party set up.