Chandigarh: Traditional alliance partners Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP found comfort in each other during party national president Amit Shah’s visit to the ‘City Beautiful’ on Thursday.
Not only did Shah receive a warm reception from the Akali Dal but also assurance that their poll partnership will see them through in 2019.
However, insiders said the visit was more focused on sending out the message that all is well between the allies.
After his meeting with strained alliance partner Shiv Sena in Mumbai, the Chandigarh visit spelt good tidings for Shah, who is on a ‘Sampark to Samarthan (communicate to support)’ campaign to strengthen the BJP’s alliance partnerships across the country.
The state party leadership was in attendance to receive him at the Chandigarh Airport.
The day’s highlight was Shah’s meeting with four-time former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his first agenda of the day.
Former deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was also present in the meeting which was held to discuss seat sharing agreements for 2019.
Though the Akali Dal is not the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Shah’s visit worked well to boost the confidence of its cadre.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Badal daughter-in-law and Minister of Food Processing Industries in the Modi Cabinet, ensures the ruling party of support in the 13 Punjab Lok Sabha seats but they are worried about the 2019 outcome.
The BJP’s social media cell was also invited to the party office in Chandigarh’s Sector 37. Shah, during his visit, manages to meet sports legends Milkha Singh and Balbir Singh Sr.
Recently, the state party also saw changes in leadership after Shweta Malik was made President of the Punjab BJP on April 8.
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