New Delhi: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Friday said BJP need to make extra efforts do address the concerns of its oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The SAD leaders skipped a key budget meeting from the NDA citing the interference by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in ‘Sikh matters’.

Swamy told the news agency ANI. “Akalis are our oldest allies, if an extra step is needed to keep Akalis then we must take that step."

BJP-led NDA alliance ran into a roadblock with its ally SAD after facing dissent in Uttar Pradesh and the North East. SAD said it is  extremely sad  with RSS’ interference in the affairs of gurudwaras and skipped a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meet held on Thursday. The disgruntled ally also demanded a financial assistance package for its farmers from the Centre.

Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral said his party wanted to attend the meeting of the NDA leaders but chose to skip it for interfering in Gurudwara management.   

Akali leader Mahinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday  accused the BJP of installing its own people in Gurudwara managements around the state. However, SAD leader Naresh Gujral said there are three reasons why the party it did not attend the NDA meeting. In a series of tweets yesterday, Sirsa accused the saffron party of meddling in Sikh matters.