Modi and Badal's meeting intensifies speculation about BJP-Akali Dal alliance in Punjab

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal held a crucial meeting at the Parliament House on Friday, sparking speculation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Akali Dal may revive their old alliance ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

The two parties had parted ways six years ago due to the farm laws controversy. Although no official statement has been issued by either side regarding the meeting, it is being seen as highly significant in the context of Punjab's changing political landscape.

According to sources, Sukhbir Singh Badal raised several serious issues related to Punjab before the Prime Minister, including the deteriorating law and order situation, frequent paper leaks, rising drug menace, and alleged corruption in government schemes.

The meeting also saw open discussions about reviving the mutual relationship between the two parties and the possibility of working together in the future. Experts believe that the leaders of both parties are now willing to put aside their old grievances and come together once again.

The BJP and Akali Dal were the oldest political allies, having shared power in Punjab for nearly 25 years, from 1997 to 2017, in three different terms. At that time, Akali Dal was the major party in the alliance, and the BJP was the junior partner.

In September 2020, Akali Dal had pulled out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in protest against the central government's three new farm laws. Although the government later repealed the laws in 2021, the distance between the two parties remained.

After parting ways, both parties suffered heavily in the elections. In the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered a resounding victory, while the BJP and Akali Dal performed dismally.

This poor performance continued in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. After these consecutive electoral setbacks, both parties may have realized that joining hands again would be in their political interest, rather than fighting alone.

Political analysts say that this potential alliance could benefit both parties. The BJP has a strong organization in the cities, while Akali Dal has a large support base among rural and traditional Sikh voters.

However, if this alliance is formed again, its rules and dynamics will not be the same as before. Sources say that this time, the BJP wants an alliance on an equal footing, which could make negotiations on seat sharing and leadership challenging.

The reaction from AAP also came promptly after the meeting. Party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal questioned on social media whether the BJP and Akali Dal were coming together again, indicating the political implications of the meeting.

Analysts believe that if this alliance materializes, it will completely change the political equation in Punjab in the 2027 elections. However, for both parties, rebuilding trust and achieving the right seat adjustment will be the biggest challenge.