Speculation that PM Manmohan Singh may consider contesting the Amritsar LS by-election on Feb 13 has left the Akali Dal with not much of a choice—support the country’s first Sikh PM or go with ally BJP. The by-election has been caused by the resignation of BJP’s Navjot Sidhu after his conviction in a road rage case.
The Dal had broken ranks with fellow opposition parties to support Zail Singh when he contested for presidency. Sources indicated that the Akalis would feel called upon to offer a safe passage while the BJP may have to put up a fight on its own.