Politics1 min read

BJP, SAD hold seat-sharing talks for Punjab polls

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The two former allies are negotiating terms to revive their partnership after severing ties in September 2020 over contentious farm laws that have since been scrapped. While senior leadership has expressed openness to the tie-up, BJP leaders maintain that the party will no longer accept its historical role as the junior partner in the state. BJP election in-charge C R Patil is scheduled to visit Chandigarh on November 17 to address state leaders amid these discussions.

Key points

  • The BJP is demanding an expanded presence and refusing to enter the coalition as a junior…: The BJP is demanding an expanded presence and refusing to enter the coalition as a junior partner.
  • Sukhbir Singh Badal has signaled a willingness to ally with any party aside from the AAP…: Sukhbir Singh Badal has signaled a willingness to ally with any party aside from the AAP and Congress that accepts the SAD philosophy.
  • Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil will consult with Punjab party leaders on November 17…: Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil will consult with Punjab party leaders on November 17 to review the talks.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Chandigarh: Negotiations on seat-sharing between the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls are underway, sources claimed on Saturday amid speculation that the two parties may join hands again.

After the finalisation of seats, a formal announcement on the alliance is expected this month, according to sources in both the SAD and BJP.

In another development, Union Jal Shakti minister C R Patil, who is also the BJP's Punjab election in-charge, is expected to visit Punjab on November 17. He will be meeting state BJP leaders in Chandigarh, sources said.

The visit assumes significance as talk about a possible reunion between the former allies gathers momentum.

Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi a few days ago, sources said.

Singh is learnt to have discussed state issues, including drug abuse, with the PM, they said.

The Shiromani Akali Dal had snapped its 24-year-old alliance with the BJP in September 2020 over the now-scrapped three farm laws.

Earlier, Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal was also part of the…

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