[REVISION HISTORY]

BJP alliance-building ahead of state elections

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-08 18:55 UTC → 2026-08-09 20:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In early August 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal at Parliament House, renewing speculation that the BJP-SAD partnership, dissolved after the 2020 farm-law protests, could be revived for the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. The discussion reportedly centered on Punjab’s law-and-order situation and alleged irregularities in welfare schemes under the AAP government. On August 7, 2026, SAD announced its support for the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill following the meeting between Badal and Modi. In Chandigarh, SAD leadership demanded immediate implementation of the women's reservation legislation, citing the teachings of Sikh Gurus regarding gender equality and noting the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's precedent for women's reservation. Regarding delimitation, the party expressed support for a uniform 50 percent increase in seats across all states, contingent upon ensuring fair and equitable representation. This represents a notable shift for SAD, which had previously opposed the Delimitation Bill in April due to concerns over its impact on Punjab's political representation. While this policy shift has intensified speculation regarding a potential alliance, the BJP continues to downplay such rumors, publicly stating its intention to contest all 117 seats in Punjab independently. Political opponents, specifically from the Aam Aadmi ~~Party,~~ Party and the Punjab Congress, have criticized SAD's new stance as a move for electoral convenience and ~~an attempt to revive its~~ political ~~standing through compromises with the BJP.~~ opportunism. While Union Minister Kiren Rijiju welcomed the ~~SAD decision.~~ decision, Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the delimitation exercise, arguing it could benefit Central India at the expense of political representation in North, South, and Northeast India. Parallel to these developments in Punjab, Home Minister Amit Shah met Lok Janshakti Party MP Arun Bharti in Uttar Pradesh, signaling possible seat-sharing discussions for the 2027 UP state ~~election, as the BJP engages regional partners across northern India.~~ election.

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