New Delhi:The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will take a call on whether to remain in the BJP-led NDA or not after taking into consideration the fate of three contentious farm bills in Rajya Sabha and consulting its cadre, party sources said on Friday, a day after its lone Union minister quit the government.
A senior party leader said the priority of the SAD at the moment was to safeguard the interests of farmers, and not the alliance issue.
The party's core group met this afternoon here with many leaders joining through video conference from Punjab to discuss its next course of action, after Harsimrat Kaur Badal's resignation in protest against the three farm sector bills.
The bills were passed by Lok Sabha this week and likely to be taken up in Rajya Sabha soon.
Asked whether the SAD would pull out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as well, Harsimrat told PTI it was for the party to decide and a collective decision would be taken on the issue by all senior leaders together.
Also read:Resignation beginning of struggle, SAD will stand by farmers: Harsimrat
Another senior party leader Naresh Gujral said, "Even in a marriage there are disagreements. So, similarly, in coalition, it doesn't mean you have to subscribe to each other's ideology. Each political party has to protect its interests."
Gujral, a Rajya Sabha member, said the government should refer these three bills to a select committee.
Asked whether the SAD will remain in the ruling alliance or not, Gujral said, "Akali Dal is very mindful of the fact that today our army is standing eye ball to eye ball with PLA at LAC. Pakistan is trying to disturb the atmosphere of Punjab."