Sukhbir Badal meets Modi, speculation over SAD-BJP alliance grows

Sukhbir Singh Badal’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has triggered political reactions in Punjab, with Congress alleging BJP seeks to weaken regional parties. BJP leaders dismissed alliance speculation, while the meeting fuelled fresh discussion over the SAD-BJP relationship

Chandigarh: As Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President, Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, political reactions emerged across Punjab on Saturday, with the Congress alleging that the BJP has a history of weakening regional political parties, while BJP leaders dismissed speculation surrounding any possible political arrangement.

Speaking to IANS, Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli said, “The BJP is a party that is working to weaken and destroy other political parties. You have seen how it has come to power across the country. The examples of Nitish Kumar and Dushyant Chautala are right before us. There are many such examples from across the country, including Maharashtra and other states. I want to say that we need to remain cautious of them. We should focus on Punjab and the interests of the people of Punjab.”

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Referring to the meeting between Sukhbir Badal and the Prime Minister, Kotli alleged that attempts were being made to mislead the people of Punjab through such political developments.

Punjab Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal also reacted to the meeting, saying, “We do not know what transpired during the meeting. Only they know whether anything will happen or not. It will not make any difference. Ultimately, people will judge political parties based on their work. They will not look at compromises, parties, or individuals. They will look at performance.”

Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon downplayed speculation over any possible alliance, saying, “The Prime Minister is for everyone. He is the Prime Minister of the entire country and can meet any senior leader. Sukhbir Singh Badal has served as Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, and I am happy that he must have discussed issues concerning Punjab. As far as the Punjab BJP is concerned, we have already stated that we will contest all 117 Assembly seats on our own. There is nothing happening from our side.”

Meanwhile, Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House in New Delhi on Friday afternoon, fuelling fresh speculation about a possible revival of the SAD-BJP alliance ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

While Badal’s office did not disclose the agenda of the meeting, sources within the SAD said discussions focussed on issues related to Punjab, including the law-and-order situation in the state and alleged irregularities in welfare schemes under the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

The meeting came just days after Badal held discussions with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who has recently emerged as one of the BJP’s prominent campaign faces in Punjab.

The development is politically significant because both the SAD and the BJP have repeatedly maintained that they intend to contest the next Punjab Assembly elections independently. The two parties, once long-standing allies in the state, ended their alliance in September 2020 when the Akali Dal withdrew from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the now-repealed farm laws.

The meeting comes weeks after PM Modi’s July 17 visit to Punjab, during which he addressed a public rally in Jalandhar and targeted rival political parties, including the SAD.

During the rally, PM Modi criticised the Akali Dal, saying the party had become preoccupied with personal and selfish interests rather than public welfare. The following day, during a media interaction in Chandigarh, Sukhbir Badal responded to the PM’s remarks, saying that PM Modi was referring to the SAD Punarsurjit, a breakaway faction, and not the SAD led by him.