Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal met on Aug. 7 [1] to discuss a potential political alliance.
A reunion between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the SAD would reshape the political landscape of Punjab. Both parties are seeking to consolidate power before the Punjab Assembly election scheduled for 2027 [1].
The meeting in Chandigarh [2] comes as sources said that talks to revive the partnership are in the final stages [1]. The two parties previously maintained an alliance for approximately 25 years [1] before the partnership collapsed in 2020 [1]. That split was triggered by disagreements over the implementation of farm laws.
Currently, the BJP is reportedly seeking a larger share of seats than it held in the previous arrangement [1]. Meanwhile, the SAD has signaled a shift in its stance toward the central government. The party has voiced support for the Women’s Reservation Bill, and the Centre’s Delimitation Bill [3].
The prospect of a tie-up has already drawn reactions from political opponents. Arvind Kejriwal has criticized the potential reunion, as the parties weigh the benefits of a joint front against the risks of their previous fallout [3].
If the alliance is formalized, it would mark the first time the two parties have worked together since the 2020 rupture [1]. The negotiations focus on balancing seat distributions and aligning policy goals to challenge the current administration in the state.
“Talks to revive the partnership are in the final stages.”
The potential revival of the BJP-SAD alliance suggests a strategic pivot for both parties to maximize their electoral viability in Punjab. By aligning, the BJP gains a deeper local organizational footprint through the SAD, while the SAD secures a pathway back to national influence. The success of this reunion depends on whether the parties can overcome the lingering resentment from the 2020 farm law crisis and agree on a seat-sharing formula that satisfies the BJP's desire for growth.
