New Delhi: Fresh indications of a possible Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP reunion have emerged ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, with senior BJP leader and Punjab BJP core committee member RP Singh meeting SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal in New Delhi.
Singh visited Sukhbir Badal at his residence in Sultanpur to enquire about his health. The SAD chief has been recuperating at his Delhi farmhouse following an attack in Nanded, Maharashtra.
While the meeting was initially centred around Badal’s health, the political conversation also touched upon the possibility of the two former allies joining hands again.
Did RP Singh And Sukhbir Badal Discuss An SAD-BJP Alliance?
RP Singh confirmed that the possibility of an alliance was discussed during his meeting with the SAD president. He indicated that there was room for progress if both parties were prepared to approach negotiations with flexibility.
Singh said the Akali Dal would have to remain “positive, flexible and not rigid”, adding that an understanding between the two sides could emerge through “reasonable give and take”.
He also expressed concern over the situation in Punjab and argued that political parties needed to regroup with the state’s interests in mind.
“The current situation in Punjab is precarious. The 2027 elections in the state are no longer about who will win or lose. They are about saving Punjab,” Singh said.
Harsimrat Badal, Bikram Majithia Also Signal Possibility Of Pact
The meeting assumes significance as senior Akali leaders have also recently spoken about the prospect of rebuilding ties with the BJP.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia have indicated that a renewed partnership could be considered, with Majithia claiming that people in Punjab wanted the former allies to reunite.
The latest developments have therefore intensified speculation over whether the two parties could contest the next Punjab Assembly election together.
Why Did SAD And BJP Split?
The SAD and BJP were long-standing political allies before their partnership ended in September 2020 amid differences over the Centre’s farm laws.
There were attempts to revive the alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but negotiations did not result in a deal. Differences over seat-sharing were among the key obstacles, with the Akali Dal seeking a larger share of Punjab’s 13 parliamentary constituencies.
Seat-sharing and the balance of power between the two parties could once again become central to any future negotiations.
The BJP leadership has previously indicated that the party does not intend to return to its traditional “chhota bhai” position in Punjab, suggesting that any renewed partnership would have to be negotiated on different terms.
With political signals now emerging from leaders on both sides, the question of an SAD-BJP reunion is likely to remain a major talking point as Punjab moves closer to its next Assembly election.
