Farm laws No alliance with BJP in Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal chief after farm laws cancelled
Chandigarh/IBNS: Even as the Centre repealed the farm laws, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP's) former ally from Punjab - the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-has denied possibility of any further alliance.
Last year, the Akali Dal had pulled out its lone minister - Harsimrat Kaur Badal - from the ruling NDA amid differences over the farm laws.
On Friday, party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal dismissed the possibility of a tie-up in Punjab.
He said "I had warned PM Modi about the black laws."
Reacting to the cancellation of the farm laws, which is considered as one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biggest policy reversals yet, the Akali Dal chief told reporters: "700 lives have been lost (at the farmers' protests)... the country saw the martyrdom of these people. I had told the Prime Minister... that the farmers won't agree to the black laws that were framed by the government."
On being asked if his party can now consider an alliance with the BJP in Punjab, he replied with an emphatic "no".
Wholeheartedly welcome the decision on repeal of 3 farming Black Laws. @Akali_Dal_ is particularly grateful that Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Parkash Purab was chosen to announce it. I hope this decision unites the nation, which has seen much temper due to the protests. 1/2
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) November 19, 2021
I only wish the Prime Minister would have taken the decision when @Akali_Dal_ had raised the issue at the time of enactment of these #FarmLaws. A lot would have been different then. Now I urge @PMOIndia to take it forward by withdrawing the cases against farmers. 2/2
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) November 19, 2021
Earlier in the day, Akali Dal veteran Parkash Singh Badal had also hit out at the government soon after PM Modi's big announcement in an address to the nation.
While I congratulate farmers of Punjab, the country & the world, my first thoughts goes to families of 700 farmers martyred in the noble struggle! This, & the disgraceful incidents like #lakhimpurkheri will always remain a dark blot on this govt's face: Party patron PS.Badal(3/4)
— Shiromani Akali Dal (@Akali_Dal_) November 19, 2021
Over the last year, the Akali Dal had urged the government several times to hold talks with farmers camping near the borders of Delhi. Sukhbir Singh Badal, his wife Harsmirat Kaur, and many other party leaders had also led demonstrations.
In a tweet earlier in the day, former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur also attacked the centre.
She also made an appeal for making the minimum support price for farm produce "a legal right" for the farmers.
We have received 'apaar baksheesh' of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on his Parkash Purab by the repeal of 3 farm laws. It's a victory of farmers who withstood inclement weather, repression & defamation but stood strong. I salute the 700 farmers who sacrificed their lives for this cause. pic.twitter.com/036Guevl9e
— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) November 19, 2021
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