'BJP's alliance with Akali Dal will continue in Punjab'

Jhabua (MP), Jun 24: BJP vice president Prabhat Jha has said that his party's alliance with Akali Dal in Punjab will continue and the two would contest the forthcoming Assembly elections together in that state. The Assembly elections in Punjab are due next year.

"Our alliance in Punjab with Akali Dal will continue. It is an unbreakable relationship which people have supported not just once, but twice. Therefore, we will contest the polls in coalition only," Jha, who is also the in-charge of BJP in Punjab, told PTI last evening. "We all workers are working hard in Punjab and we will again form the government there in 2017," he said.

Referring to Uttar Pradesh, the Rajya Sabha MP said the people in UP are fed up of both the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, and that the people gave the message during the recent BJP's executive meeting in Allahabad.

"People have given a new slogan in UP, 'Na Sapa na Basapa, sirf Bhajapa' (neither SP nor BSP, only BJP), and I am confident that in this scenario, the BJP is going to form government in the northern state," Jha said. Replying to a question, Jha criticised Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly making irresponsible statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"There are 34 chief ministers in the country, but no one talks the way he is making statements against the Prime Minister. He thinks that if he attacks Namo (Narendra Modi) then he would become a big leader. People understand everything. They know he (Modi) is unparalleled," Jha said.

On the issue of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar virtually boycotting the International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21, Jha remarked, "It appears that Kumar is not well and therefore, he was unable to do yoga exercises that day." "The day was celebrated by Muslims, Christians and people who believe in god and non-believers. It is mainly for keeping one healthy and has nothing to do with religion.

"When people all over world have listened to him (Modi) on the issue, how come Nitishji will not listen to him? It seems he is not well and therefore did not come for it," Jha said.

PTI