Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Manohar lal Khattar. However, there is bitterness in the BJP as Shiromani Akali Dal campaigned and fought against its Punjab ally in the Haryana Assembly polls.
In alliance with the Indian National lok Dal (INlD), the Akali Dal contested two seats in the Assembly polls and won one. During campaigning against the BJP, the presence of Badal in the function is considered to be a political anti-climax.
“The Punjab Chief Minister has been invited for the swearing-in ceremony of new Haryana Chief Minister, scheduled to be held on October 26,” said an official spokesman. The invitation was received by the Punjab’s Resident Commissioner. The spokesman said Badal would also receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Chandigarh airport, who too is going to attend the function.
Badal, who is patron of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), had campaigned in Haryana for his party and Indian National lok Dal (INlD) candidates, much to the dismay of BJP leaders in Haryana.
The SAD and the BJP have alliance in Punjab, but the the Akalis backed INlD in Haryana citing “family ties” between Badals and Om Parkash Chautala.