Renewed SAD-BJP alliance could help Akali Dal rebuild Punjab base

The renewed alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party could help the Akali Dal rebuild its political base in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly election, The Hindu reported. The analysis said “Panthic” politics—mobilisation around the collective identity of the Sikh community—remained a central feature of Punjab’s electoral politics. Within that setting, a partnership with the BJP could give the century-old Akali party a route towards a political comeback.

The Akali Dal has struggled to return to prominence, but the alliance may change perceptions among its core supporters. If voters believe the partnership offers a genuine prospect of returning to power, that expectation itself could encourage sections of the traditional base to rally behind the party. The Akali Dal is led by Sukhbir Singh Badal, who has served as Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister in two separate stints.

The source material identifies Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Badal in connection with the alliance, but does not provide details of its seat-sharing arrangement or a formal timetable for negotiations. The analysis presents the alliance as potentially beneficial to both parties, while emphasising its possible value to the Akali Dal.

The BJP could gain from a partner with an established identity in Punjab, while the Akali Dal could use the partnership to signal that it remains a viable contender. The material does not include polling figures, an assessment of rival parties, or evidence that the alliance has already changed voter preferences. Its conclusion is conditional: the partnership could reignite the Akali Dal’s core support if it convinces voters that the party has a realistic path to power in 2027.