Chandigarh: Signs of a possible political rapprochement between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have grown stronger following repeated public statements by Union home minister Amit Shah about forming an NDA government in Punjab.
Reliable sources told The Tribune that discussions between the two former allies over seat-sharing are underway and could be finalised soon. A formal announcement of the alliance is expected after Diwali, the sources said.
According to sources, the BJP could get between 45 and 50 assembly seats under the proposed arrangement. However, the party has maintained that it is preparing to contest all 117 seats in Punjab.
Shah’s repeated remarks about the NDA forming the next government in Punjab are being viewed as a positive signal regarding the ongoing discussions with the SAD.
The Akali Dal was the BJP’s longest-standing ally in Punjab and remained part of the NDA until September 2020, when it walked out over the farm laws.
There had also been speculation in political circles that Shah’s reference to the NDA could include the breakaway SAD पुनर-surjivite faction. However, sources familiar with the discussions said this was unlikely.
The breakaway faction is not yet registered as a political party with the Election Commission and does not have its own election symbol. Its leaders would therefore need to contest under the BJP or SAD symbol.
