Akalis take a dig at BJP over Delhi poll debacle

With the BJP suffering a drubbing in the Delhi elections, its coalition partner Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has rubbed in the importance of keeping the alliance for better results. “Better coordination with us could have produced different results for the BJP,” said Daljit Singh Cheema, SAD spokesperson. “Local BJP leaders did not want Akalis to participate due to which we stayed away from the polls. Besides, there were differences on our stand to include the Muslims in the CAA. The differences were bridged close to the voting day but it was too late for us to participate actively in the campaigning.” The results would have been different if the BJP was not swayed by its local leadership, said DSGMC chief Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Sirsa said the BJP did not even feel it fit to field Sikh candidates from the seats dominated by the community like Rajouri Garden and Tilak Nagar.