Chandigarh: Punjab’s political atmosphere is once again abuzz with speculation following the circulation of a short video clip showing senior Sikh leader Giani Harpreet Singh in a relaxed, cordial exchange with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The interaction took place at a social gathering hosted by a BJP leader in Zirakpur and has triggered renewed discussion about possible political realignments in the state.
While such meetings are not unusual and do not, by themselves, signal any formal understanding, the timing and context have led many observers to read between the lines. The development is being viewed less as a social moment and more as a reflection of shifting equations within Punjab’s Sikh and electoral politics.
According to information available with Babushahi Network, sections of the BJP leadership are increasingly disillusioned with the Shiromani Akali Dal under Sukhbir Singh Badal. Within the party, there is a growing perception that an alliance with the Badal-led Akali Dal may no longer be politically advantageous. Some leaders reportedly see it as a constraint rather than a strength.
This line of thinking has opened the door to alternative strategies. One school of thought within the BJP is said to favour contesting the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections largely on its own, with the ambition of expanding its independent footprint in the state. At the same time, there appears to be openness to nurturing an alternative Akali leadership — particularly a formation led by Giani Harpreet Singh — as a counterbalance to Sukhbir Badal’s influence. An electoral understanding with such a group at a later stage has not been ruled out.
In this backdrop, the warm optics between BJP leaders and figures associated with the emerging Akali faction are being closely scrutinised. Adding weight to this narrative is the recent move by the Giani Harpreet Singh-led group to seek registration from the Election Commission of India as a separate regional party under the name “SAD Punjab.”
At present, the BJP’s central leadership has not publicly committed to a definitive roadmap for Punjab in 2027. Divergent statements from state and national leaders suggest that deliberations are still ongoing. Whether the party chooses to go it alone, build selective alliances with Akali offshoots opposed to Sukhbir Badal, or encourage new political formations through strategic splits remains an open question.
With more than a year to go before the next Assembly election, Punjab’s political script is far from settled. Alliances may shift, new players could emerge, and existing equations may be rewritten.
What is already clear, however, is that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party appears relatively secure for now. Despite visible anti-incumbency, the Bhagwant Mann-led government is benefiting from a divided opposition spread across multiple camps. This fragmentation has allowed AAP to maintain a strong position, much as it has done in previous electoral battles, and to plan its strategy with an eye on retaining power in 2027.
