SAD Chief Sukhbir Badal Hints at BJP Alliance Ahead of 2027 Punjab Polls, Calls AAP and Congress Main Rivals

October 23, 2026

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has hinted that his party could join hands with the BJP again ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

After meeting Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Badal told reporters that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress were his party’s main political rivals in Punjab. He did not name the BJP but said the SAD was ready to work with parties that shared its views and wanted to work for the state.

His statement comes amid growing talk of a possible BJP-SAD alliance. In August, Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss the situation in Punjab. The meeting also led to speculation that the two parties could come together for the next Assembly elections.

However, neither party has made any formal announcement about an alliance.

Why BJP and Akali Dal Parted Ways

The BJP and the SAD were long-time allies. Their partnership ended in September 2020 after the Akali Dal opposed the Centre’s three farm laws and left the NDA.

The Centre later repealed the laws following a major farmers’ protest. However, the two parties did not come together again.

They contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections separately. The BJP won only two seats, while the SAD managed to win three.

There was also talk of an alliance before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but both parties decided to contest separately. The SAD won the Bathinda seat, while the BJP failed to win any seat in Punjab.

Sukhbir Badal Meets Governor Over Jhota Killing

Badal also met Governor Kataria over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. He said he had raised four demands, including the removal of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and action against ministers, MLAs and officials whom he accused of protecting the drug trade.

Badal also demanded a Class-I government job for Jhota’s widow, Bibi Manpreet Kaur, and Rs 2 crore in compensation on humanitarian grounds. He said the family and the action committee had not asked for the compensation.

Another demand was to expand the CBI probe to include two more cases. One involves Gulzar Singh of Toor Banjara in Dirba, who reportedly named Finance Minister Harpal Cheema in his dying declaration. The other concerns Bikramjit Singh of Sri Hargobindpur Sahib, who was allegedly hacked to death for opposing the drug trade.

Badal’s remarks have added to the discussion about a possible BJP-SAD alliance ahead of the 2027 Punjab elections. For now, both parties are yet to confirm whether they plan to contest the polls together.

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