New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): A fresh meeting between senior BJP leader RP Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has added to speculation about a possible revival of the BJP-SAD alliance ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
RP Singh, a member of the Punjab BJP core committee, met Sukhbir Badal at his residence in Delhi. Singh said the meeting was primarily to enquire about the SAD chief’s health, as Badal continues to recover following the attack on him in Nanded, Maharashtra.
The meeting assumes significance as it comes soon after senior SAD leaders Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia indicated that the possibility of the two former allies coming together again could not be ruled out. Majithia had recently said that people in Punjab wanted the BJP and SAD to reunite.
Alliance Possibility Discussed
Speaking about his meeting with Sukhbir Badal, RP Singh said the political situation in Punjab and the possibility of bringing the two parties closer were discussed.
He expressed concern over the prevailing law-and-order situation in the state and argued that political forces needed to work together for Punjab’s development.
Singh said the 2027 Assembly election should not simply be viewed as a contest over electoral victory, but as an important moment for the future direction of the state.
On the possibility of a BJP-SAD understanding, Singh indicated that there was room for movement if both sides adopted a flexible approach. He said the Akali Dal would need to remain “positive, flexible and not rigid” for discussions to progress.
According to Singh, any future arrangement would require both parties to make reasonable adjustments and arrive at an understanding acceptable to both sides.
Seat Sharing Could Hold the Key
The BJP and SAD had been longstanding allies before their relationship broke down in September 2020. The two parties also explored the possibility of renewing their partnership before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but negotiations failed to produce an agreement.
Seat-sharing remained one of the major sticking points, with the Akali Dal seeking a larger share of Punjab’s 13 parliamentary constituencies.
With the 2027 Assembly polls approaching, the question of how electoral seats would be divided could once again become central to any negotiations.
Singh suggested that a workable alliance would require a mutually acceptable and sustainable arrangement between the two parties.
The BJP has also been signalling a shift in its political strategy in Punjab, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah indicating that the party does not intend to remain in the traditional “junior partner” position in the state.
For now, no formal alliance has been announced. However, the recent statements from SAD leaders and Singh’s meeting with Sukhbir Badal have renewed political discussion over whether the former partners could find common ground before the 2027 Punjab elections.
