The Shiromani Akali Dal is firm that it will stand by the Indian National Lok Dal in the Assembly elections in Haryana, as the party has tried to spread its base in the state. This despite the fact that its alliance partner in Punjab, the BJP, did not like it. For the first time, the Akali Dal has fielded two candidates and the party has actively campaigned in the state.

In the past week, both Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Badal campaigned in Haryana for the two party candidates and for the INLD. Since the time Sukhbir returned from abroad, he has been busy campaigning.

At his last rally in Ambala on October 11 for SAD candidate Charanjit Kaur Mallour, Sukhbir said the Congress-led UPA was oblivious to the sufferings of the common man and was taking credit for issues like the nuclear deal. He said a person who cannot afford two square meals a day does not have the strength to discuss the merits of the nuclear deal. The Punjab Chief Minister also addressed 15 rallies in Amabla and at Kalanwale, besides addressing rallies at Shahabad, Ramba, Nising, Kula and Odhan.

Talking to The Indian Express, party spokesman and secretary Daljeet Cheema said, “BJP president Rajnath Singh has already clarified that the BJP has no objection over the SAD having alliance with the INLD in Haryana. So we do not want to comment on what Vijay Goel, incharge, Haryana Affairs, of the BJP, has to say. The BJP is an old ally of the Akali Dal and will continue to be so, as we are part of the NDA and we always stand by our alliances.”

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