Won’t join BJP till it is an ally of SAD, say Bains brothers

LUDHIANA: Putting to rest all speculations, the Bains brothers - Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains, independent MLA's from Atam Nagar (Ludhiana) and Ludhiana South assembly constituency, respectively, have announced that they are not joining Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). Making it categorically clear that there is no point in joining the saffron party till the time BJP is an ally of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Simarjit Singh Bains said, "There is no question of being in a party that supports the Akalis, who have ruined the prosperous state of Punjab for their own vested interests."
It is pertinent to mention here that post initiation of BJP's membership drive, there were widespread speculations that Bains brothers will come into the party fold.Notably, after being denied the party ticket by Akali Dal, both Simarjit and Balwinder had contested the 2012 assembly election as independent and emerged victorious. Afterwards, they extended support to SAD and became associate members of Akali Dal in the state assembly. However, last year, the Bains brothers again parted their ways with Akali Dal after being denied ticket for contesting the Lok Sabha elections. Simarjit contested the parliamentary elections independently and secured about 2,10,917 votes finishing fourth.
Speaking to TOI, Simarjit admitted that hectic parleys were on between them and the BJP. "With BJP aggressively launching its membership drive and looking for Sikh faces in Punjab, we did receive offer from the saffron party. We were approached by the top brass of BJP and deliberations were held for quite some time. But after considering all aspects of the issue, we have decided not to join BJP till the time saffron party is alliance partner of the Akali Dal", said Simarjit.
Simarjit further claimed that after the Lok Sabha elections, they have been approached by close aides of higher ups in the ruling SAD. "When we have refused plum posts being offered by the ruling party members because of the fact that SAD is responsible for the miseries of the people of Punjab, how can we be a part of the political outfit, which is coalition partner of Akali Dal in Punjab", he said, adding that he and his brother (Balwinder Singh Bains) even regret becoming the associate members of Akali Dal.
When asked whether they will join BJP in case the saffron party breaks its ties with Akali Dal in near future, Bains said that they are not averse to the offer. "It would be too pre-mature to comment on a situation which has not arisen so far," he said. Interestingly, while Bains brothers have made their stand clear over joining BJP, the saffron party leaders are still hopeful of winning the Bains brothers.