Politics – Sukhbir Badal’s Meeting With PM Modi Revives Discussion Over NDA Equation
Politics – Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, prompting fresh political discussions over whether the SAD and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could reconsider their relationship ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Although the meeting has generated considerable attention, neither party has officially indicated that any alliance talks are underway.
Meeting Draws Attention Amid Political Activity
The meeting comes at a time when political developments in Punjab are gathering pace as parties prepare for the next Assembly elections. Both the BJP and the SAD have consistently maintained that they intend to contest all 117 Assembly seats independently. No official statement was released after the meeting, leaving room for political speculation but no confirmed conclusions.
According to people familiar with the matter, the interaction between the two leaders was informal. However, they did not reveal what topics were discussed during the conversation.
Punjab’s Key Challenges Likely Discussed
Political analysts believe the discussion may have focused on pressing issues affecting Punjab rather than electoral arrangements alone. Concerns such as law and order, repeated examination paper leak incidents, the continuing drug problem, and governance-related challenges are among the issues that have dominated political debates in the state in recent months.
While there has been no confirmation of the agenda, these subjects remain central to public and political discourse across Punjab.
Internal Challenges for Both Parties
The meeting also comes as both the BJP and the SAD are dealing with organisational issues within their respective state units.
In the Punjab BJP, differences among senior leaders have surfaced in recent months. Former minister Tikshan Sud has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s state leadership, highlighting internal disagreements.
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal is facing its own challenges following the departure of several senior leaders to the SAD Punar Surjit faction. At the same time, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, associated with jailed Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh and currently being led by rebel SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, has been working to strengthen its presence, particularly in rural areas of the state.
Alliance Speculation Continues Despite Public Stand
Sources within the SAD believe the present political environment, including reported internal differences within the Congress, could create circumstances that may benefit cooperation between the BJP and the Akali Dal before the 2027 Assembly elections.
Despite such speculation, leaders from both parties have repeatedly dismissed the possibility of a renewed electoral partnership.
During his visit to Punjab in June, BJP national president Nitin Nabin stated that the party was preparing to contest all 117 Assembly constituencies on its own. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon has also reiterated the same position.
Similarly, Sukhbir Singh Badal has consistently maintained that the SAD is preparing independently for all Assembly seats in the state.
Senior Leaders Urge Caution
Senior SAD leader and former cabinet minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal advised against drawing immediate conclusions from the meeting. He said the details of the discussion had not yet been shared and noted that if any major political decision had emerged, it would likely have been discussed within the party’s core committee.
Grewal added that the conversation may have centred on Punjab’s governance issues and the party’s criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal also reacted to the development by posting on X, questioning whether the BJP and the SAD were moving closer once again.
Long Political Association Between BJP and SAD
The BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal shared a political partnership for more than two decades and jointly governed Punjab during three separate terms between 1997 and 2017. Their alliance ended in September 2020 following disagreements over the now-repealed farm laws.
Since then, both parties have fought the 2022 Punjab Assembly election and the 2024 Lok Sabha election independently. Nevertheless, occasional interactions between senior leaders from both sides have continued to generate political interest, with each meeting renewing speculation about whether the former allies could eventually rebuild their relationship.