Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi : The names of a former CM and his deputy engraved on an infrastructure project mooted by the Centre for Punjab—it is not a one-off case that shows closeness between the BJP and ally SAD amid predictions of separation by naysayers.
Several recent incidents show that all is well between the saffron party and its old allies, including the Shiv Sena, despite the latter’s constant needling of the BJP and PM Narendra Modi, and that they are working together as a team for the 2019 general election.
A controversy erupted recently after the Congress objected to the names of former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and son Sukhbir engraved on the foundation stone to be laid for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor.
The presence of Sukhbir by the side of Union minister Nitin Gadkari at an official press conference in September had also evoked interest. After the Cabinet had cleared the Sirhind Rajasthan Feeder Canal, the press conference at the Transport Bhawan had seen Sukhbir sharing stage with Gadkari, who acknowledged the Akali Dal’s perseverance for the projects and lauded former CM Parkash Singh Badal for his persuasive role in getting them cleared from the Centre.
Recently, Narendra Modi was seen attending Gurpurab celebrations at the residence of Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
So far as the Sena is concerned, it recently alleged that a “lack of political will” is delaying the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and advised Modi to stop the “political drama” on the issue.
Taking potshots at the PM for his “56-inch chest” remark during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Sena said the Congress did not have the courage to build the Ram temple, so it was thrown out of power, and a man with a “56-inch chest” was given the keys to the administration.
Despite the open offensive or the “political posturing” as per political observers, they say not only are the Sena and the BJP ideologically matched, they have no option but to stand with each other if they want to survive 2019. In fact, the Sena’s posturing in Ayodhya is said to have the support of the BJP, which is now being accused of “outsourcing” the pet project to its ally.
The BJP, they say, is not worried about Maharashtra or the Sena taking lead there but about Uttar Pradesh and its huge kitty of 80 Lok Sabha seats. The ground reports do not favour UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and the Samajwadi Party and the BSP getting together is a major apprehension. And the Ram temple build-up by the Sangh, the VHP and the Sena are all aimed at ensuring that the crucial Hindu vote remains undivided.
