A day after his peace-meeting with BJP national president Amit Shah amidst row over saffron party’s alleged interference in Sikh affairs, SAD president Sukhbir Badal on Sunday said that all is well between the two alliance partners.
“Everything in now normal between SAD and the BJP as the matter related to the management issue of Sri Hazur Sahib is sort out. We, both the parties will shortly hold a coordination meeting for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections,” said Sukhbir after the party’s core committee meeting. Notably, almost two-hour meeting was held between Sukhbir and Shah on Saturday at the national capital after the SAD protested against the alleged interference of the saffron party in the Sikh affairs. SAD had threatened to break away from the NDA while accusing the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat — an affiliate of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh — of meddling in the Sikh religious affairs.
The recent flashpoint was the amendment made in Section 11 of the Takht Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Board Nanded Act, 1956, which allowed the Maharashtra Government to increase its representation in the management of the gurudwara.
The issue was discussed at length in the meeting with Sukhbir giving an assurance to all the leaders that the BJP national chief has guaranteed him that the amendment in question would soon be withdrawn by the BJP-led Maharashtra Government.
Besides, Sukhbir has reportedly informed the meeting that Shah has assured him that the RSS would not interfere in the affairs of the Sikh community, and any decision on the Sikh affairs would not be taken without consulting the Akali Dal in future.