Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will contest all forthcoming elections in Haryana on its own symbol, a statement issued by the party said today.   The SAD, which was earlier an ally of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), also said that it will contest the forthcoming elections to civic bodies of Ambala and Rohtak.   

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the SAD's Haryana unit yesterday presided over by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.   In a statement here today, Badal said the members of the Haryana unit unanimously passed a resolution to contest all forthcoming elections in the state on the party's symbol.   "I have asked them to work vigorously to strengthen the party at all levels so that the SAD may emerge as a major force in Haryana politics," he said.   

Significantly, as sharing of river waters became a bone of contention between Haryana and Punjab, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) led by former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala had in March 2016 severed its ties with long-time ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).   Earlier, SAD and INLD had even fought the polls together in Haryana.   

The SAD president said following a request from the Haryana State leadership it was also decided that senior Akali leaders from Punjab would be deputed to Haryana to help in strengthening the organisation.   He also asked the Haryana unit to identify people's issues and take them up for redressal.