The Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) has said it is open to an alliance with the BJP — but only if the partnership is built on a clearly defined agenda for Punjab and the Sikh Panth.
Party chief and former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh made the remarks at a press conference at Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Bhawan. He confirmed that talks with the BJP were already underway.
SAD Punar Surjit sets alliance condition for BJP
Singh said the party is willing to work with the BJP, but the terms must be clear from the start. "We are open to an alliance, but it will be agenda-based," he said.
He added that the BJP is free to form an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) if it wishes to. However, he made one thing clear — his faction will not be part of any alliance that includes the party led by the Badal family.
"We have made it clear that we will not be part of any alliance with the party led by the Badal family — Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harsimrat Kaur Badal." — Giani Harpreet Singh, SAD (Punar Surjit) chief
First open acknowledgment of BJP talks
The development is significant because this marks the first time the SAD Punar Surjit faction has openly acknowledged talks regarding an alliance with the BJP. The statement signals a shift in the faction's public position on the matter.
By insisting on an agenda-based approach, the faction is drawing a clear line on what it expects from any political partnership. The focus, according to Singh, must remain on issues concerning Punjab and the Sikh Panth.
Our Take: A conditional opening, not a blank cheque
To put it plainly, this is not an unconditional offer. Giani Harpreet Singh has opened the door to the BJP, but he has also placed a firm condition on the table — the alliance must be agenda-driven, not just a seat-sharing arrangement.
The refusal to work with the Badal-led SAD is equally important. It shows that the Punar Surjit faction wants to be seen as a separate political entity with its own identity, not as a junior partner in a larger coalition.
For the BJP, this creates both an opportunity and a complication. An alliance with Punar Surjit could expand its reach in Punjab, but the faction's insistence on a Panthic agenda may not always align with the BJP's national priorities.
For voters, the key takeaway is simple: the Punar Surjit faction is positioning itself as a principled player in Punjab politics. Whether that translates into a real alliance remains to be seen — but the faction has made its starting position clear.
