Chandigarh, March 4
Deputy Prime
Minister L.K. Advani’s call to the voters “not to go in for smaller and
regional-level outfits” in the Lok Sabha elections has put the SAD, the main
ally of the BJP in Punjab, in a quandary.
Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Secretary
and official spokesman of the SAD, said today that “he had no comment to offer
on the statement”.
But certain senior SAD leaders, especially those in the
thick of electoral battle, say that it was the “most damaging” statement made by
Mr Advani against the regional parties at such a delicate stage of
electioneering” and “It would certainly hit us hard in the elections”, said a
senior SAD leader, requesting anonymity.
The SAD is a sworn enemy of the
Congress and has been fighting against it for several decades. Mr Advani’s
reported plea to vote for the Congress as a second preference after the BJP has
shocked Akali leaders.
“Our rival Akali factions had been saying for the past
several years that the BJP wanted to finish the regional parties as it was for a
two-party system in the country. Mr Advani’s statement had finally brought the
cat out of the BJP’s bag,” said another senior Akali leader.
“We cannot speak
on record at this crucial stage when the campaign has started picking up. The
damage could be undone only if Mr Advani refutes the statement and clarifies his
position on the issue,” said another senior Akali leader, who is contesting the
elections.
Reacting to Mr Advani’s statement, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann said “it
was a very dangerous statement made by Mr Advani, who had exhibited the BJP’s
fascist approach towards the regional parties”. Urging Mr Badal to clarify his
position vis-a-vis Mr Advani’s statement, Mr Mann said that the SAD chief was
the most vocal supporter of the BJP and its policies. “I am sure Mr Badal will
not speak against Mr Advani and the BJP, which he needed the most for help in
corruption cases”, added Mr Mann. The BJP wanted to finish the SAD through Mr
Badal, alleged Mr Mann.
Meanwhile, the Congress has endorsed Mr Advani’s
statement saying that it is a good development that the Union Deputy Prime
Minister had stood in support of the national parties. Welcoming the statement,
Mr Kewal Krishan, Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, said that the SAD should clear
its stand on the issue as the “rejection of regional parties like the SAD by a
senior BJP leader is acceptance of the prevalent ground realities”.
