New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s oldest ally, Shiromani Akali Dal, on Thursday said it skipped a National Democratic Alliance meeting as the regional party was “extremely upset” over the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s interference in the management of gurdwaras. The party also demanded a package for farmers in the country.
SAD’s Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Naresh Gujral said the party wanted to attend the meeting of NDA leaders, held on Thursday, to chalked out a strategy for the Budget session of parliament, but “skipped” it because of the RSS’s interference in the management of gurdwaras.
“Our party has told the BJP to keep off the gurdwara management affairs and not interfere in our religious matters. But the RSS keeps meddling with the Sikhs’ religious affairs. We cannot allow that,” Gujral said.
When asked if the party had anything else planned, Gujral replied, “Of course we will take this (boycotting the meeting in protest) forward. If the BJP does not take any steps on our demands, logically, we will separate.”
When asked about the SAD not attending the meeting of floor leaders of the NDA, Union parliamentary affairs minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the BJP’s ally had informed them that it will not attend the meeting due to a prior engagement.
On Wednesday, SAD MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa from Rajouri Garden had also expressed displeasure with the BJP, saying on Twitter that there was an attempt to “gain control of Gurdwara Management”.
Some BJP leaders are creating confusion in media. Our point is reflected in @Dev_Fadnavis tweet also- “not to push amendment in winter session”
That means BJP govt plans to get amendment done post winter session!
The agenda is clear- gaining control of Gurdwara Mgmt 1/2 @ANI pic.twitter.com/4IhbsD12t4— Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) January 30, 2019
(With PTI inputs)