With several key leaders in the Punjab BJP and grassroots workers pushing for re-stitching the alliance with the party’s oldest ally, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), ahead of the high-stakes 2027 assembly elections, the pressure is mounting on the central leadership to make its position clear.
Those advocating an alliance include veteran leaders such as former state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, ex-CM Capt Amarinder Singh, BJP national vice-president Manpreet Singh Badal, former Union ministers Som Parkash and Vijay Sampla, ex-ministers Manoranjan Kalia, Tikshan Sud and Surjit Jyani. Among those opposed to the move are BJP’s parliamentary affairs committee member Iqbal Singh Lalpura, former minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and state BJP organisation secretary Manthari Shrinivasullu.
Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini is also said to be against an alliance with the Akali Dal.
“When you nurture a constituency, you need to invest time and money. What if we start spending heavily and eventually the seat goes to the alliance partner under the seat-sharing arrangement? “The present political situation is best suited for the BJP to contest independently. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House in New Delhi in August had fuelled the speculation about both parties renewing their alliance. Those favouring a tie-up are also citing two recent developments as possible indications of a thaw in the relationship. Separately, Bathinda MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal deleted a social media post criticising the BJP over the controversy surrounding the entry of police personnel into Bangla Sahib Gurdwara in New Delhi.
Union home minister Amit Shah did not target the SAD during his September 30 rally in Jalandhar. “Giving the BJP more than 35 seats would mean surrendering constituencies with a predominantly rural electorate.
The party must make it absolutely clear whether it wants an alliance or not,” said a district president from the Malwa region. With a multi-cornered contest likely, the party has an opportunity to spread its wings,” said a leader opposed to the move. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s ideological mentor, is also divided over the question of an alliance, according to information gathered from multiple leaders. The BJP still lacks a substantial base in rural areas, and handing over those seats would only benefit the Congress,” said the Akali leader.
