BJP-SAD – Nayab Singh Saini rules out alliance speculation ahead of Punjab polls
BJP-SAD –Punjab politics remains the focus of fresh alliance speculation as the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) prepare for the 2027 Assembly elections. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has dismissed the possibility of a BJP-SAD alliance in Punjab, even as recent political developments have renewed discussion about a possible rapprochement between the two former allies.
Saini dismisses alliance speculation
Speaking to reporters, Saini said the BJP’s alliance was with the people of Punjab and asserted that his party would form the next government in the state. His comments came after SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week.
Saini said the Prime Minister, as the leader of the country, could meet anyone. He also expressed surprise that Badal’s meeting with Modi had immediately triggered speculation about a possible political understanding between the BJP and SAD.
SAD raises representation issues
The speculation has emerged alongside the SAD’s demand for the immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill and a fair delimitation exercise. The party has argued that representation should remain equitable among states.
Meanwhile, the BJP has been dealing with internal dissatisfaction in its Punjab organisation. The party recently appointed a new state body, prompting objections from several leaders and forcing the central leadership to intervene.
BJP sends observer to Punjab
Satish Poonia, the BJP’s Haryana in-charge, has been tasked with meeting dissatisfied leaders and examining the functioning of the Punjab unit. According to sources, he is expected to prepare a report detailing the grievances and suggest steps to resolve the internal disputes.
Poonia has also questioned some of the organisational decisions. Sources said he pointed out that he had himself been involved in the process through which the earlier appointments were finalised.
Three of the five newly appointed general secretaries are reportedly from Ludhiana, according to disgruntled party leaders. They have raised concerns that the Majha and Doaba regions were not adequately represented.
Questions over organisational changes
The BJP’s internal troubles have also intensified over changes involving district-level leadership. Six district presidents were removed only days after being appointed, while party leaders have questioned why they were not issued show-cause notices or given an opportunity to explain their positions.
The developments have added another layer of uncertainty for the BJP as it prepares for the next Punjab Assembly contest.
BJP and SAD have long electoral history
The BJP and SAD remained allies for more than two decades and jointly formed Punjab governments on three occasions, from 1997 to 2002, 2007 to 2012 and 2012 to 2017.
Their partnership ended in 2021 following disagreements over the farm laws that were subsequently repealed. The SAD had initially supported the legislation before opposing it and calling for its withdrawal. The party later left the National Democratic Alliance.
The two parties then fought separately in both the 2022 Punjab Assembly election and the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The SAD won three Assembly seats, while the BJP secured two.
Both parties face a different electoral landscape
In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the BJP failed to win a seat in Punjab, while the SAD secured one constituency. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal’s wife, retained Bathinda for the party.
Before their split, the two parties had followed a seat-sharing arrangement in which the SAD held the larger share. In the Lok Sabha polls, the Akalis contested 10 of Punjab’s 13 seats, while the BJP fought three. In Assembly elections, the BJP had contested 23 seats and the SAD 94.
Despite Saini’s firm rejection of an alliance, senior BJP leaders have previously argued that restoring ties with the Akalis could offer electoral advantages. Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and former state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar have both spoken in favour of such a possibility.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin, during a recent Punjab visit, had maintained that any decision on an alliance would be taken at the appropriate time.