Sukhbir Badal open alliance with 'like-minded parties'

Could Punjab be heading towards a revival of the Shiromani Akali Dal BJP alliance? With assembly elections just months away, Akali Dal chief Sukbir Singh Badal has signalled that his party is open to joining hands with like-minded political parties. But he has ruled out any alliance with the Congress or the Aam Aadmi Party. His remarks come just a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that an NDA government in Punjab will be likely there in 2027. Badal has left the door open for a potential partnership with the BJP ahead of next year's assembly elections. Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Badal said his party was willing to work with any political force that shared its ideology and programs. But he drew a clear red line, no alliance with the Congress or the Aam Aadmi Party. Akali Dal is a regional party. Punjab is number one priority for Akali Dal. Whether we come to power or not, we have to keep fighting for Punjabis. For us, there are two parties which are the biggest enemies of Punjab, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party. We can never have an alliance with these parties. Whichever other parties align with the ideology of Shiromani Akali Dal, we are open to them. Just a day earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that an NDA government would take office in Punjab in 2027. That statement has fueled speculation about a possible reunion between the two former allies. The Akali Dal and BJP were in alliance for 24 years before splitting in 2020 over the controversial farm laws. And in August, Badal's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already triggered similar speculation. The day's development were not limited to electoral alliances. Badal also led an Akali Dal delegation to meet Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The delegation raised concerns over the killing of anti-drug activists Parvinder Singh Jota in Mansa. It also demanded the dismissal of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing his government of failing to maintain law and order. Badal has also claimed that Punjab enjoyed greater peace and development under the previous SAD BJP government. But the question now is whether the former allies can bridge their political differences and will voters welcome the return of the alliance?