Seeking to assuage the feelings of a peeved Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP on Thursday reached out to one of its oldest allies saying there is no rift between them and there is no question of snapping ties with whom the party shares power in Punjab.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met Union Minister Harsimrat Badal and her husband and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal at their residence and attended a religious function there on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev there.
Jaitley, who shares cordial ties with the Badals, also spent some time with them and told them that there was no question of the two parties being separated.
"I want to make it clear there is no rift between BJP and SAD. We are the oldest allies, we are not only friends but are in relation with each other. Our alliance is not only a political alliance but a social one too," Jaitley told reporters outside Badal's residence.
BJP general secretary JP Nadda also said there was no question of ending ties with SAD and would seek to know from his party leader Ramshankar Katheriya about his remarks.
"There is no question is snapping ties with SAD. We have an emotional bondage. We are old partners and have been working with emotional understanding for many years. There is no question of any misunderstanding between us," Nadda told PTI.
Jaitley said ties with SAD is more relevant especially after the terrorism days in Punjab as it was instrumental in restoring peace and development in the state. Nadda said he would find out from Katheria as to what he has stated in Chandigarh that had led to doubts about any alliance between the two allies.
The remarks by Jaitley and Nadda came in the backdrop of BJP leader Katheriya's remarks in Chandigarh on Thursday that the party has no problem in running the government in alliance with SAD but in case workers and party leaders wish to fight it alone and a favourable scenario develops in the state, the party may have to think like that.
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