Speculation over a possible revival of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP alliance has intensified after SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and the party, a day later, announced its support for the Centre's delimitation proposal.
The SAD also called for the immediate implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill and backed a uniform 50 per cent increase in parliamentary seats across all states.
SAD backs delimitation plan
After a meeting of senior party leaders in Chandigarh, Badal said the SAD wanted the Women's Reservation Bill implemented immediately.
"The Shiromani Akali Dal, at a meeting of its senior leaders in Chandigarh today, demanded the immediate implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill in the country," Badal posted on X.
He also linked the party's position on women's reservation to Sikh teachings and the example set by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
"The Shiromani Akali Dal draws inspiration from the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, who championed the dignity, equality and equal rights of women. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (@SGPCAmritsar) has already set an example by providing for women's reservation in its House.
After detailed deliberations on key issues before Parliament, the Shiromani Akali Dal also demanded a fair and equitable Delimitation that ensures equal representation to all States.
The SAD chief said women's reservation and delimitation "should be done immediately".
U-turn from earlier stand
The latest position marks a shift from the SAD's earlier opposition to the Delimitation Bill. When the Centre first introduced the legislation in Parliament in April, the party voted against it along with Opposition parties.
The SAD had then argued that the proposal was discriminatory towards Punjab, saying the state would see only a marginal increase in seats while neighbouring states would gain more.
The party is now supporting the proposal with a 50% increase in seats as part of its demand.
Will SAD and BJP revive alliance?
The BJP and SAD ended their nearly 25-year-old alliance in 2020 following disagreements over the three farm laws. Both parties subsequently contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections and 2024 Lok Sabha polls separately.
The BJP won no Lok Sabha seats in Punjab in 2024, while the SAD won one.
Badal's meeting with Modi has since fuelled speculation about a possible alliance ahead of the Punjab elections. Sources cited by NDTV said the SAD, Punjab BJP unit and RSS favour reviving the partnership, while some leaders who joined the BJP from Congress also support it.
The sources said the BJP wants the alliance to be renewed on an equal footing. Akali leaders, however, have indicated that seat-sharing can be discussed later, with the immediate focus on Punjab.