SAD siding with INLD in Haryana won't affect ties with BJP says Parkash Singh Badal

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today dismissed speculation that support of Shiromani Akali Dal to Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in Haryana Assembly elections would have an adverse effect on its ties with BJP and said their main goal was to defeat Congress.

"No, there is no such thing," Badal said when asked if SAD's siding with INLD in the Haryana election could lead BJP to part ways.

He said his party has been in alliance with the BJP since the beginning.

"Our issue was to defeat Congress," Badal said, adding that they had earlier already informed BJP about the SAD's stance in Haryana.

Badal was here to participate in an event organised to mark construction of a memorial for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

On construction of a memorial, Badal said it was a "good thing" as next generation would come to know about history.

There were memorials in Punjab also.

Earlier, speaking at the event Punjab Chief Minister said that 1984 riots was a very painful episode and it was not just riots, but a genocide.

He rued the fact that many accused of the riots have not been punished and some of them were even holding important positions.