Sukhbir Badal Expected to Meet Amit Shah Today to Discuss Possible SAD-BJP Reunion

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal is likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss sealing a political re-alliance ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election.

The Meeting

According to party sources, Mr. Badal is scheduled to travel to New Delhi after addressing a political rally at Raikot. The agenda for the discussions includes working out seat-sharing arrangements and finalizing the partnership between the two former allies.

Background

While leaders from both sides have kept details private, sources indicate that an official announcement regarding the coalition could come sometime this month. This follows a previous meeting between Mr. Badal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August, where the renewal of ties was first discussed.

Context

The Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party were long-standing partners since the late 1990s. However, the SAD severed ties with the National Democratic Alliance coalition in 2020 following widespread protests and controversy over the central government's agriculture laws, which were later repealed.