SAD-BJP in row over Barnala civic body post

BARNALA: The already strained relationship between alliance partners BJP and SAD in Punjab hit a new low on Thursday with the saffron party threatening to oppose SAD candidate from Barnala in the coming assembly elections if the Akalis did not support BJP nominee for the municipal council vice-president's post in the March 10 poll.
The term of present vice-president Raghbir Parkash of the BJP is to expire on March 10 and a new vice-president will be elected.According to sources, two SAD councillors are eyeing the post while the BJP is firm on retaining the seat for the party.
SAD has 12 councillors in the 31-member house and BJP has three. Ten independent councillors support the SAD-BJP alliance.
The SAD-BJP alliance had set a record of sorts in March 2010 when all 31 councillors, including from opposition Congress, had supported the alliance candidates for the post of president and vice-president. "The post of vice-president has always gone to BJP whenever alliance got power. We have learnt that now SAD wants to get the post for its councillor and will take a decision on it on March 8. If the SAD stakes claim for the post we will oppose the SAD candidate from Barnala in the assembly elections," said BJP district president Gurmeet Bawa. He said BJP did not want to break the coalition but if the party is forced to do so it will.
Municipal council president and Barnala SAD district (urban) president Sanjiv Shorey denied any dispute with BJP over the issue. He said the issue will be decided by the party high command and SAD is for alliance to remain intact.