Amritsar: Renewed signals of a possible rapprochement between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP have revived an uncomfortable question in Punjab politics – Are the former allies merely waiting for the right moment to join hands again?Panthic analyst Jagdeep Singh said recent political developments, including the meeting between SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by statements fuelling speculation about a possible reunion, have put the alliance back on the political agenda ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.Stating that Union home minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks about an NDA govt in Punjab have added to the speculation, although neither party has formally announced an electoral pact, Jagdeep said, “For both parties, an alliance can improve their electoral prospects. The SAD has a traditional support base among the Sikh and rural voters, while the BJP is trying to strengthen its presence across Punjab. However, much has changed since their split, and any reunion will raise questions over seat-sharing, leadership and the BJP’s role in the alliance.”The alliance between the two broke in Sept 2020 when the SAD withdrew from the NDA over the Centre’s three farm laws amid widespread farmers’ protests. Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned from the Union cabinet, and the Akalis accused the BJP-led govt of ignoring farmers’ interests.Describing the possible alliance as the need of the hour, Jagdeep said the parties could pool their strengths to challenge the opposition, especially the ruling Aam Aadmi Party. The SAD’s rural and Panthic support and the BJP’s organisational reach can potentially complement each other, he addedShamsher Singh Padhri, chief spokesperson of the Amritpal Singh-led Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, described the BJP and the SAD as opportunistic and power-hungry, accusing them of exploiting people’s sentiments for vested interests.Maintaining that political parties should be judged by their positions on issues affecting Punjab rather than the alliances they pursue as elections approach, Padhri said a reunion without accountability would raise questions about both parties’ credibility.Asked whether the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De would ally with another party ahead of the elections, Padhri said they would contest all 117 assembly seats in Punjab independently and would not enter into any alliance.Jagdeep, meanwhile, said the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De and Giani Harpreet Singh-led SAD (Punar Surjit) could explore joining an Akali-BJP arrangement if seat-sharing considerations prompted such a move.A senior SAD functionary, who didn’t wish to be named, admitted that the possibility of the two former allies coming together reflected the practical realities of electoral politics, where political interests often take precedence over public concerns. “This is politics; everyone is doing it,” the SAD representative added.
