Punjab: SAD (Sanyukt) Merges With Shiromani Akali Dal In Punjab; Badal Says Alliance With BSP Continuing, 'No Talks' With BJP

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) has merged with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) under Sukhbir Singh Badal.

The merger took place on Tuesday (5 March) in Chandigarh.

Describing the merger as a collective endeavor to rejuvenate Punjab, Dhindsa expressed the party's unanimous decision to merge with SAD to foster unity in the Sikh community.

He also highlighted Sukhbir Singh Badal's heartfelt remorse regarding the sacrilege cases of 2015 as a pivotal factor influencing the merger.

"There was an overwhelming feeling among our leaders and workers to merge with the SAD to effect unity in the ‘panth’ (Sikhs). Moreover, the entire party felt that Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed heartfelt remorse for the cases of sacrilege which occurred in 2015," he said.

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"Accordingly, I called a meeting of the party’s district presidents yesterday and they gave the go-ahead for the merger," he added.

Speaking on the merger, Badal characterised the merger as a consolidation of two familial entities and urged Dhindsa to assume the role of patron within SAD due to his seniority in Akali leadership.

However, when questioned about a potential alliance with BJP, Badal remained non-committal, highlighting the ongoing alliance with BSP and dismissing media speculations about a BJP tie-up.

“Our alliance with BSP is continuing, I read only in the media that we are tying up with BJP, please do not worry about us,’’ he said.

Badal also appealed to all SAD leaders who had left the party to rejoin, saying “SAD alone is capable of safeguarding the aspirations of Punjabis. I am ready to apologise to everyone (over the sacrilege incidents).”

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