3 weeks ago
SAD Backs Delimitation, Women's Quota After Badal-Modi Meet
In India, there is a political party called the Akali Dal that works for the state of Punjab.
It used to work together with another big party called the BJP, but they had a big fight in 2020 and stopped being partners.
Now the leader of the Akali Dal, Sukhbir Badal, went to meet India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
The very next day, his party said it supports a government plan called the Delimitation Bill, which decides how many seats each state gets in Parliament.
The Akali Dal also asked for a plan to give more seats to women in government to start right away.
Just a few months ago, the party voted against this bill because it thought the plan was unfair to Punjab.
Now it supports the plan and wants every state to get 50% more seats.
The party says its choice comes from the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, who believed in equal rights for women.
Many people think the party changed its mind because it wants to be friends with the BJP again.
The two groups may work together for the next elections in Punjab.
A day after Sukhbir Singh Badal met PM Narendra Modi, the Shiromani Akali Dal announced support for the Delimitation Bill and demanded immediate implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill.
SAD backed the Centre's proposal for a uniform 50% increase in seats for all states, calling for fair and equitable delimitation with equal representation for all states.
The party had earlier opposed and voted against the Delimitation Bill in April, calling it discriminatory towards Punjab, which would see only a marginal increase in seats.
Badal met Modi at Parliament House in New Delhi on Friday, days after meeting Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, fueling speculation of an alliance revival.
Sources say the Akali Dal, state BJP unit, and RSS favor reviving the alliance ahead of Punjab Assembly elections, with the final call resting with the BJP's central leadership.
- Who
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- SAD announced support for the Delimitation Bill and demanded immediate implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, sparking speculation of a BJP-SAD alliance revival
- Where
- Chandigarh, where SAD senior leaders met, and Parliament House in New Delhi, where Badal met Modi
- When
- Saturday, August 08, a day after Badal met Modi at Parliament House on Friday
- Why
- The support is seen as a clear indication that a SAD-BJP alliance for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections is in the works
Alliance Supporters
Alliance Critics
Delimitation Bill Position
Alliance Supporters
SAD now supports the Centre's uniform 50% seat increase proposal and demands immediate implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, saying the approach prevents any state from being disadvantaged.
Alliance Critics
In April, SAD opposed and voted against the Delimitation Bill, describing it as discriminatory towards Punjab, which would see only a marginal increase in seats while neighbouring states gain more.
Terms of Alliance Revival
Alliance Supporters
Akali leaders say details such as seat-sharing can be discussed later and the immediate priority is to improve the situation in Punjab.
Alliance Critics
The BJP wants the renewal of the alliance on equal footing after previously being the junior partner, and the final call rests with the BJP's central leadership.
Key facts
- SAD Chief
- Sukhbir Singh Badal
- Prime Minister
- Narendra Modi
- SAD's New Position
- Supports uniform 50% seat increase for all states and immediate Women's Reservation Bill implementation
- SAD's Earlier Position
- Opposed and voted against the Delimitation Bill in April, calling it discriminatory towards Punjab
- Women's Reservation Bill
- Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 proposed 33% reservation for women; implementation stalled after the 131st Amendment Bill fell in the Lok Sabha on April 17
- Previous Alliance Collapse
- 2020, amid controversy over farm laws; SAD withdrew from NDA
- 2024 Lok Sabha Results in Punjab
- BJP won no seats; Akali Dal won one
- Alliance Stance
- BJP wants equal footing; Akali leaders say seat-sharing can be discussed later
Quotes
Sukhbir Singh Badal
Chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Punjab political leader
“"After detailed deliberations on key issues before Parliament, the Shiromani Akali Dal also demanded a fair and equitable Delimitation that ensures equal representation to all States."”
wionews.com
“"The Shiromani Akali Dal supported the proposal which was put up by the Government of India at the floor of the House of a uniform increase of 50% of seats of all states."”
wionews.com
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Akali-BJP alliance on cards? Sukhbir Badal backs delimitation day after meeting PM Modi
Shiromani Akali Dal Set For NDA Return? SAD Backs Delimitation And Women's Reservation Bill After Sukhbir Badal Meets PM Modi
After PM Modi Meet, SAD Backs Women's Quota Bill, Calls For Fair And Equitable Delimitation
Akali Dal-BJP Alliance Loading? Day After Meet With PM, Sukhbir Badal Supports Delimitation
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