Shiv Sena for alliance with SAD in Punjab

Jalandhar, Sep 26 (UNI) The Shiv Sena has expressed its willingness for forging an alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP combine for the next Assembly elections in Punjab.

Talking to reporters here today, the party northern states' incharge Jai Bhagwan Goyal said a dialogue with the SAD leadership was on.

Mr Goyal said that in a bid to avert division of Hindu votes his party had extended unconditional support to the SAD-BJP combine in the last Lok Sabha elections in the state.

He said that if the negotiations for an alliance with the SAD failed, then his party would contest around 25 seats in the Assembly elections.

He criticised Prime Minister Dr Manmohan singh to change his government's ''softened attitude'' with Pakistan ous over the contentious issue of terrorism and alleged that this shift was in the wake of pressure from the United States (US).

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