'Mulayam wants a big role for Sukhbir nationally'
A day after the meeting between Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal senior vice-president Balwant Singh Ramoowalia on Sunday said Yadav wanted a big role for chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in national politics.
A day after the meeting between Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal senior vice-president Balwant Singh Ramoowalia on Sunday said Yadav wanted a big role for chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in national politics.
"In view of him being the senior-most politician in the country, Yadav suggested that Badal should come out of Punjab to join national politics, as his rich experience could be a guiding force for the nation," Ramoowalia told the Hindustan Times.
"In the entire meeting, Yadav neither criticised the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nor talked about a pre-poll alliance," he said.
However, an alliance after the 2014-parliamentary election was discussed thoroughly and the SP leader mooted an idea of joining hands of politicians, such as Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Sukhbir, he added.
Sources said the SP leader advocated that if these young leaders joined hands, they could make a stronger political alliance than both the NDA and UPA.
During the meeting, the SP leader expressed his opinion that the Congress would weaken further in the upcoming parliamentary election, and the time was ripe for regional parties to chalk out a strategy to form a new government.
Yadav also expressed his desire of frequent meetings between Sukhbir and Akhilesh for exchange of ideas between the two young leaders.
"After the meeting, Yadav told me that Sukhbir had very good ideas and he and Akhilesh should keep on meeting to exchange the ideas," Ramoowalia said.
"Yadav said both of them had long innings to play, and they should know each other well," he added.
Ramoowalia did not hesitate to reveal that on the request of Yadav, he had arranged the meeting.
It is pertinent to mention here that a few days ago, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had flown into the city, along with former Haryana chief minister Om Parkash Singh Chautala, to attend a function.
On being asked about the possibility of joining the third front, Chautala had replied, "Lets see what will happen in the future."