New Delhi/Chandigarh, August 30: The possibility of a renewed political alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is gaining momentum ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.
According to reports, leaders from both parties have been in discussions following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on August 7. The two parties are reportedly considering whether reviving their former alliance would strengthen their electoral prospects.
However, major differences remain, particularly over seat sharing and the balance of power within a possible alliance. BJP leaders are seeking a significantly larger role than they had in the previous arrangement, while the SAD has historically been the senior partner in Punjab.
The political equation has changed considerably since the BJP and SAD separated during the farmers’ agitation in 2020. The BJP subsequently contested elections independently and expanded its vote share, while the SAD has faced a series of electoral setbacks.
The possible alliance could significantly alter the electoral contest involving the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and other regional players.
Why it matters:
Punjab’s 2027 Assembly election is expected to be a closely contested four-cornered battle, and a BJP-SAD reunion could reshape the state’s political arithmetic.