The political dynamics in Punjab are witnessing a resurgence as talks of a potential re-alliance between the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls gain traction. The discussions come amidst preparations for voting on 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab scheduled for June 1.
Senior BJP leader and party spokesperson SS Channy confirmed ongoing discussions between the two parties in Punjab. He indicated that a formal meeting between BJP and SAD would be scheduled after the latter's core committee meeting on March 22, with the final decision on the alliance resting with the BJP high command.
The core committee meeting of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is slated to take place in Chandigarh, where various issues, including the election alliance, will be deliberated upon, as stated by senior Akali Dal leader and party General Secretary Dr Daljit Singh Cheema.
While initially hesitant due to unresolved issues such as the Minimum Support Price (MSP) framework and the release of Sikh prisoners, sources close to SAD revealed a possibility of re-aligning with the BJP, emphasizing the importance of finding a like-minded political partner.
However, Punjab's Leader of the Opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, expressed apprehensions regarding the potential SAD-BJP alliance, highlighting concerns over its impact on SAD's interests, particularly its stance on farmers' issues and religious matters.
In the previous 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress secured eight out of 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, while the BJP and SAD managed two seats each, followed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with one seat.
Notably, in September 2020, the Shiromani Akali Dal severed ties with the BJP and withdrew from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) due to the contentious farm laws introduced by the central government. Despite subsequent repeal of these laws following extensive farmer protests, SAD has continued to extend support to the NDA on various occasions.
