Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday said his party was open to forming alliances with political outfits that agree with its ideology and programmes, while explicitly ruling out any understanding with the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). His comments have intensified speculation of a reunion between the SAD and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections.
Remarks revive talk of former partners reuniting
Badal's statement came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said an NDA government would come to power in Punjab in 2027 — remarks that political observers said implicitly signalled a desire for broader alliance-building in the state. The SAD and BJP were long-time partners until the Akali Dal broke the tie over the now-withdrawn farm laws in 2020.
Addressing reporters in Chandigarh, Badal credited the SAD‑BJP coalition period with bringing peace and development to Punjab, saying the state had improved infrastructure, industrial growth and had become power surplus under that arrangement. He reiterated that his party would continue to "fight for the people of Punjab" irrespective of whether it formed the next government.
"During the SAD‑BJP rule, peace prevailed in Punjab, and the state witnessed development, be it in infrastructure, industry, or the state becoming power surplus," Badal said.
He further termed the Congress and AAP as "the two biggest enemies of Punjab" and said the SAD could never have an understanding with them. Instead, he said the party was open to alliances with other formations that shared the Akali Dal's ideology and programme priorities.
Signals and denials from the BJP
While Badal's openness has sharpened reunion talk, the state BJP leadership offered a cautious response. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon denied that any alliance decision had been taken, asserting that the party was prepared to contest all 117 assembly seats if necessary. A senior state BJP functionary, however, told reporters that Shah's remarks had sent a clear political signal despite not naming the Akali Dal explicitly.
Party strategists and a section of analysts said a formal announcement, if it were to happen, would have to contend with both practical seat-sharing negotiations and the political baggage from the 2020 farm protests that precipitated the split between the two parties.
Political stakes ahead of 2027
With Punjab scheduled for assembly polls early next year, any realignment between SAD and BJP would reshape electoral arithmetic in a state where regional loyalties, caste dynamics and the agrarian question remain crucial. A reunited front could aim to consolidate anti‑AAP and anti‑Congress votes, while the AAP leadership continues to project its governance record in the run-up to elections.
Party meetings, parleys with smaller regional outfits and negotiations on seat adjustments will be decisive if a tie-up is pursued. For farmers, traders and industry groups in Punjab, a potential SAD‑BJP front evokes memories of both development claims and the contentious years that preceded their separation.
What stakeholders say — and what remains unclear
- SAD position: Open to alliances with parties that align with its ideology; no talks with Congress or AAP.
- BJP stance: State president denies any formal alliance decision; party says it will contest all seats if required.
- Union signals: Amit Shah's remarks in Delhi have been read as encouragement for a broader NDA push in Punjab.
Analysts noted that while public comments can set expectations, formal coalition building often depends on closed-door negotiations, seat-sharing formulas and assessments of winnability at the constituency level. The timeline remains tight: both parties will have to move quickly if they aim to present a combined front well before polls.
Table: Positions and immediate implications
| Actor | Position | Immediate implication |
|---|---|---|
| SAD | Open to alliances with like‑minded parties; rules out Congress/AAP | Signals readiness to explore reunion with BJP or other regional parties |
| BJP (Punjab) | Denies formal alliance decision; prepared to contest all 117 seats | Keeps options open; public posture of independence |
| Union leadership | Predicts NDA government in Punjab (Amit Shah) | Creates momentum for alliance speculation |
For voters and local stakeholders, the coming weeks will show whether the rhetoric converts into an electoral pact or stays at the level of political signalling. Any alliance will have to reconcile past grievances and present political calculations — and convince a voter base that has seen rapid shifts in party loyalties over recent years.
With campaigning set to intensify, party offices in Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Bathinda are likely to see a steady stream of leaders and negotiators. Observers say the durability of any reunion will ultimately depend on seat mathematics, local leadership acceptability and how both parties manage the memory of their breakup in 2020.
Reporting from Chandigarh and regional bureaus contributed to this dispatch.
