Social math to chemistry, why BJP, Akali Dal face hurdles on road to Punjab alliance
Despite BJP leaders claiming they would contest Punjab Assembly elections alone, talks for an alliance with the Akali Dal continue, according to insiders. The push seems to come primarily from the Akali Dal, with senior leaders like Harsimrat Kaur Badal and her brother Bikram Singh Majithia arguing for a reunion. The BJP in Punjab, however, insists on contesting all 117 seats on its own.
The Akali Dal and BJP previously had a strong alliance, complementing each other's voter bases. However, the two parties lost separate elections in 2022 and 2024 to the AAP and Congress, respectively. Some Akali leaders have defected to the BJP, and several second-line SAD leaders have also joined. This shift may complicate the alliance, as the BJP is expected to gain SAD's semi-urban seats with Sikh voters, while the SAD might struggle in rural areas.
The alliance's future depends on how the two parties handle issues like controversial political figures and maintain their voter bases.
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