SANJAY THAPA
The breakaway between Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP is not without a motive -a political motive. Farmers issue is just an alibi for SAD which is preparing ground for 2022 Assembly elections. SAD – which had been an important ally for BJP for last 24 years- has realised that in Punjab it has little future with the BJP. This is second separation by an NDA ally after Shiv Sena sided with Congress and NCP in Maharashtra in November. Harsimat Kaur, former union minister resigned from Modi cabinet saying that SAD was not consulted. But the fact remains that the bills were put forth for consultation in previous session of Parliament in March, why then Kaur did not object.
Farmer is a big vote bank in Punjab. And it will be a foolhardy for any party to ignore farmer vote bank in Punjab – which comprise s 85 % of marginal and small farmers. To add fuel to fire is the Congress that has got on the bandwagon. It is being alleged that the bills were passed in a jiffy in Parliament without due diligence. In fact the opposition has said that the bill was passed even after oppositions call for division voting in Rajya Sabha – which the Deputy Chairman totally ignored. Meanwhile, the JD (U) is also cudgeling in Bihar – which is to go to polls in Oct-November. It is well known that both Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan are ‘fair weathered friends’ ,when it comes to politics.
