NEW DELHI : The Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) -BJP breakup ending to 23 years of political partnership spells huge setback for the saffron party. Over the course two years now, TDP and Shiva Sena snapped ties with BJP. However, the reasons for those were largely political, while the SAD exit is grounded in public issues.
SAD found it impossible to withstand pressure of mounting protests in Punjab over the anti-farmer laws passed by BJP. Amid rising protests, SAD first gave up on its ministerial posts before snapping political alliance with the saffrons. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said, the party cannot stand by anything that harms farmers. The centre’s move has betrayed Punjab that contributes half of government’s procurement, Badal added.
SAD brought in BJP ties to Punjab Assembly in 1997 and became part of NDA the following year. Sore point in the relations first cropped up over Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) - a law SAD disagreed on. However this time, SAD would not remain compromised given the enormous pressure and public fury over the new agricultural laws.
BJP that won elections a second time at the centre, suffered its first loss in terms of Shiv Sena breakaway. BJP had explained that split as the latter’s power greed. However, that reason will not hold water this time around, given that SAD parted ways disowning the powers it held in the government. Punjab heads for polls two years from now. While BJP describes the development t as a shift in stand on part of SAD, it also means the BJP ties are increasingly becoming a burden to its allies.
