SAD (Badal) demands 15 seats from BJP in Delhi assembly polls

New Delhi, Jul 4 (UNI) Claiming that the National Capital had a large 'Punjabi' population, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) today demanded 15 seats from the BJP in the forthcoming Delhi assembly elections.

The BJP was quick to react by claiming that while it respected the feelings of its old ally, it was yet to take a decision on seat sharing in the Delhi elections. ''We have not yet received their demand...in fact we have not yet decided on seats as such,'' BJP national general secretery Vijay Goel told UNI here.

...''We will try to accomodate them but the track record and work of anyone seeking seats will be looked into,'' he added.

SAD (Badal) Delhi unit president Manjit Singh said Delhi had a population of 16 lakh Sikhs and over 70 per cent population here was 'Punjabi', it was natural for the party to contest on 15 seats on its symbol with support of the BJP.

''Since 1960, SAD has been represented by not only Sikhs but members of other communities as well... SAD members from various communities have won assembly seats,'' he said.

The SAD (Badal) Delhi unit chief maintained that the BJP and SAD (Badal) leadership has stood together to achieve its goals and have fought for the cause of the common man.

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