Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi has once again brought the possibility of an electoral understanding between the SAD and BJP into focus ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
While neither party has confirmed any alliance, sources indicate that the meeting was preceded by a series of discussions in Chandigarh, internal political assessments and an eventual late-night communication from the Prime Minister’s Office.
A political trail that began in Chandigarh
The developments reportedly gathered momentum after Badal met Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at his official residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, in Chandigarh.
Sources said the two leaders discussed the political situation in Punjab and the possibility of the SAD and BJP working together in the next Assembly election. Parliamentary matters, including delimitation and the Women’s Reservation Bill, were also reportedly discussed.
The issue of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences was also raised by the Akali side, sources said.
The Chandigarh meeting subsequently became the basis for efforts to arrange a meeting between Badal and Modi.
SAD’s Punjab assessment raises concerns
Behind the alliance discussions is reportedly an assessment conducted by the Akali Dal during its Punjab Bachao Rallies.
According to sources, the party gathered feedback from workers across Assembly constituencies. The internal assessment reportedly suggested that the SAD could have a stronger electoral position if it entered the 2027 contest with the BJP rather than fighting independently.
The party is also believed to be concerned about erosion in its traditional Panthic vote base.
Sources claimed that the growing influence of Amritpal Singh’s political outfit in rural and Panthic areas, along with competition from other Akali factions, has created additional pressure on the SAD.
BJP cadre feedback also considered
The Akali Dal is also understood to have explored sentiment within the BJP’s grassroots organisation.
Sources said feedback gathered from BJP workers suggested that a section of the cadre favoured cooperation with the SAD, believing that an alliance could bring together the traditional support bases of both parties.
The exercise reportedly strengthened the case for senior-level discussions between the two parties.
Two-hour meeting with Haryana CM
Around four days before Badal’s meeting with Modi, Sukhbir Badal, Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Dr Daljit Singh Cheema reportedly held an extended meeting with Saini at his Chandigarh residence.
The discussion lasted nearly two hours, according to sources.
The proposed political arrangement for Punjab, parliamentary issues and possible cooperation between the SAD and BJP were reportedly discussed. The meeting also paved the way for seeking an appointment between Badal and the Prime Minister.
PMO call at 11 pm
The next major development came late Thursday night.
According to Akali Dal sources, Badal received a call from the PMO at around 11 pm, asking him to travel to Delhi for a meeting with Modi.
He subsequently reached the national capital and met the Prime Minister on Friday.
Neither the SAD nor the BJP has publicly disclosed the details of their conversation.
Cheema: Meeting does not mean alliance
Dr Daljit Singh Cheema confirmed Badal’s meeting with Saini but said the details of the Prime Minister’s interaction would be discussed by Badal with the party leadership.
Cheema also stressed that meeting Modi should not automatically be interpreted as a decision to enter into an alliance.
He noted that the SAD and BJP have a long history of political cooperation, including their decade-long tenure together in Punjab, and therefore communication between senior leaders is not unusual.
BJP keeps cards close to its chest
The BJP’s Punjab leadership has maintained a cautious position on the possibility of reviving the alliance.
Sources said senior state leaders have been directed not to make public comments on the issue while discussions remain at the leadership level.
The BJP is also reportedly looking at any potential arrangement on the basis of an equal partnership, rather than simply returning to the previous seat-sharing formula.
For the moment, there is no formal announcement from either side. However, the chain of events — from Punjab’s ground-level political assessment to the Chandigarh meeting with Saini and the late-night PMO call — has intensified speculation that the SAD and BJP may be exploring a fresh political understanding before the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
