CHANDIGARH: The relations between ruling alliance partners Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) and BJP are passing through  testing times due to clash of interests in the Panchayat, Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections. While Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections were held on Monday, the Panchayat elections are due on May 26.

The reports of clash between workers of both the the parties at various places has threatened the long relationship between SAD and BJP. At least ten persons were injured in firing that took place late last night in border district of Tarn Taran. Though the alliance has been contesting directly against Congress party but at many places the candidates of both the parties are in fray to face each other. The piquant situation has embarrassed the party leadership. SAD secretary and spokesman said that there were some reports of differences at lower level but the top leadership is united. He  He said that local workers of both parties had staked claim over seats and patch up was not worked out due to local factors.

The situation however seems grim from the statements being issued by senior party leaders particularly two BJP ministers in Parkash Singh Badal government. Manoranjan Kalia the industries minister has alleged that Akalis were working against the interest of BJP. He had even threatened to withdraw support from SAD. Khushwant Rai Geega district Mohali president of BJP on Sunday alleged that Cooperation minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh was making misleading propaganda about BJP candidates. Satpal Gosain deputy speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha has also alleged that Akalis might indulge in poll rigging.

 Luxmi Kanta Chawla health minister has called upon party workers to support BJP in Panchayat elections and she assured that next Chief Minister will be from BJP. Similar statement was given by Punjab BJP president Rajinder Bhandari during his recent Canada visit where he had said that BJP would have its Chief Minister in Punjab. 

The trouble between SAD and BJP started recently when BJP demanded bigger share in seats in Panchayat elections which is otherwise Akali domain. BJP understood to have inclination to spread its roots into rural areas. For that purpose, they are also trying to make inroads in villages by roping in followers of deara Sacha Sauda. The Akalis have severed ties with dera followers due to religious controversy. The dera chief Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh had attired the dress of Guru Gobind Singh which enraged the Sikh community. The BJP is now trying to reach the dera followers mainly based in Malwa region, the strong hold of Akalis.

The confrontation between alliance partners may change political alignments in Punjab, the political observers opined. The outcome of Pancahyat elections would set new political agenda in the state.