KV Prasad
Tribune news service
New Delhi, September 17
Tonight, the SAD removed its sole representative in the Union Cabinet, signaling a fissure in its three-decade ties with the BJP. The fact that Harsimrat Kaur Badal referred to her in his resignation letter reflects that the ties forged by BJP veterans Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani may have lost the luster of the partnership that has been mutually beneficial since 1996.
Weakening of ties
Ironically, it may appear that over the last year, the BJP’s relations with two of its oldest and staunch supporters, the Shiv Sena and the SAD, have declined.
Ironically, it may appear that over the last year, the BJP’s relations with two of its oldest and staunch supporters, the Shiv Sena and the SAD, have declined. While the move away from the Seine could be attributed to a political compulsion to form a government in Maharasthra, there is no such apparent pressure on the Akalis. There is still a good 17 months to go before the state Assembly elections. The SAD has paused ahead of a clean break with the BJP. Now that the three farm bills that SAD is opposing are on their way to getting the go-ahead from Parliament, the Akalis may have to work on their political calculations to maintain their alliance with the national party. However, he chose to leave the Modi government on a day when the BJP celebrated the Prime Minister’s birthday.
