With Punjab heading towards another high-stakes Assembly election, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has opened the door to a possible political realignment by expressing his willingness to join hands with like-minded parties. Although he has refrained from naming the BJP, his remarks have intensified speculation about the Akali Dal’s possible return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The prospect of reviving the former allies’ partnership comes at a time when both parties are seeking to strengthen their electoral positions against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress. However, overcoming the political differences that led to their separation in 2020, particularly over the farm laws, will remain a major challenge.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has signalled a possible political realignment ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for early next year, indicating that his party is open to joining hands with like-minded political forces. Although he stopped short of naming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), his remarks have renewed speculation about the revival of the former allies’ relationship, which collapsed in 2020 over the contentious farm laws. With the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress identified as the Akali Dal’s principal political opponents, the possibility of a renewed understanding with the BJP could reshape the electoral contest in Punjab.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Badal criticised the political direction of the state and stressed the need for an alternative capable of addressing Punjab’s challenges. He described the AAP and the Congress as the main opponents of the SAD, while leaving the door open for cooperation with parties sharing its vision for the state’s development. His carefully worded statement suggests that the Akali Dal is assessing its political options as the next Assembly election approaches.
The renewed discussion about an SAD-BJP alliance is not without precedent. The two parties maintained a long-standing partnership for decades, combining the Akali Dal’s influence among sections of Punjab’s Sikh electorate and rural communities with the BJP’s organisational strength and support among sections of urban voters. Their alliance was a defining feature of Punjab politics for years, making its breakdown a significant turning point in the state’s political landscape.
The relationship collapsed in September 2020 when the Akali Dal withdrew from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the Centre’s three farm laws. The legislation had triggered a massive farmers’ movement, particularly in Punjab, where agricultural concerns carry substantial political weight. The Centre eventually repealed the laws, but the decision did not lead to an immediate reconciliation between the former allies. The SAD continued to maintain its distance from the BJP, reflecting the political sensitivities surrounding the farmers’ agitation.
Whether this positioning leads to a formal return to the NDA remains uncertain. Badal has expressed openness to working with like-minded parties, but no final agreement has been announced in the information provided. For now, the renewed alliance debate reflects a wider strategic calculation: whether the SAD and the BJP can overcome the differences that divided them and rebuild a partnership capable of challenging their common opponents. The coming months will reveal whether political necessity can bridge the gap left by their 2020 split.
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