New Delhi, Aug. 10 -- BJP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal on Monday dismissed speculation over a possible alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), saying that the meeting between SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a formal interaction.

Speaking to ANI, Mittal said that the Prime Minister regularly interacts with leaders from different political parties, particularly in Punjab as it is a border state.

"Any meeting between a leader and the Prime Minister is essentially a formal interaction. Since Punjab is a border state, the Prime Minister frequently consults leaders from various parties to gather their views and feedback on Punjab's politics, security situation, and the drug ...