SAD-BJP alliance to continue in future: Vijay Sampla

PHAGWARA: Dismissing the speculation of a rift between the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, Union Minister of State Vijay Sampla today said the alliance would continue in the future polls, including municipal elections.

Talking to mediapersons here, the Hoshiarpur MP dismissed reports that the alliance was under any clouds and that it would continue in the same way in the 2017 Assembly elections as it had continued in Lok Sabha elections.

On the spat between SAD and BJP Amritsar presidents, the MOS for Social Justice and Empowerment wished that lower level leaders abide by directives of their high command to observe restriction in giving statements that put the alliance in poor light.

On the issue of drug menace afflicting youths in the state, Sampla claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "very serious about curbing it."

"I myself will address it strictly", he asserted. However, he attributed it to the rise in smuggling of drugs during the UPA government.

"If heads of our army jawans could be chopped off from across the border during UPA regime, throwing of drug packets was very easy job", he remarked.

Sampla also said he would measure up to the prime minister's expectation by performing well in his department as he understood agonies of the underprivileged sections of society, being a Dalit and "mazdoor".

Addressing alliance workers, Sampla called for fraternal brotherhood and "meeting of hearts".