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Chandigarh: Former Punjab Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh has once again sparked intense political debate in the state by openly advocating a revival of the Shiromani Akali Dal–Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD–BJP) alliance ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. In a candid podcast interview aired on Sunday, Amarinder Singh asserted that the BJP, on its own, lacks the organisational depth and grassroots machinery required to win Punjab and would need the support of the Akali Dal to return to power.

Responding to a question on BJP’s electoral prospects in Punjab, Singh said the party “does not understand Punjab well enough yet” to independently build a winning structure at the ground level. “There is no other way to form the government than by having an alliance with the Akali Dal,” the former chief minister declared.

He further added that building a strong organisational base in Punjab would take the BJP “two to three election cycles” if it tried to do so without the Akalis’ established cadre network.

‘Fit, Active and Preparing for 2027’: Amarinder Signals Political Continuity

In the same interaction, the veteran leader made it clear that he is far from political retirement, stating that he remains “fit and active” and is already preparing for the 2027 electoral battle. His remarks signal that he intends to continue playing a strategic role in Punjab’s evolving political equations.

Amarinder’s fresh pitch for alliance revival is not new. In February 2024, he had publicly stated that a renewed SAD–BJP partnership “would benefit both parties”, indicating his consistent belief that the old coalition remains the most practical political model for the BJP in Punjab.

BJP’s State Leadership Echoes Similar Sentiment

Amarinder’s remarks come at a time when similar views have been gaining ground within the Punjab BJP leadership itself. In March 2024, State BJP President Sunil Jakhar acknowledged that the idea of an SAD–BJP alliance reflected the “emotion of the masses”, though he stopped short of proposing it formally to the party high command. In July 2025, Jakhar sharpened his stance further, stating publicly that a reunion with the Akali Dal was “essential for political stability in Punjab”.

He also argued that reviving the alliance would help counter what he described as “anti-Punjab forces”, urging both sides to put past differences behind them in the larger interest of the state.

Ground-Level Pressure Mounts After Electoral Setbacks

Sources within the BJP reveal that repeated defeats in bypolls and weak showings in rural and Sikh-dominated areas have reignited serious internal discussions on the need for a strategic realignment. A senior BJP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “There is growing pressure from district units and grassroots workers to reconsider the SAD alliance. We simply do not yet have the rural penetration that the Akalis possess.” The SAD, despite its recent electoral struggles, continues to retain a deep organisational network, especially in rural Punjab and among the Panthic voter base—something the BJP has struggled to build on its own.

Why the SAD–BJP Alliance Matters

The SAD–BJP alliance was one of the longest-running political partnerships in Indian politics, spanning nearly 27 years. The alliance ruled Punjab multiple times, including under Parkash Singh Badal and Captain Amarinder Singh himself during earlier political phases, shaping the state’s political structure for decades.

However, the partnership collapsed dramatically in September 2020, after the SAD walked out of the NDA in protest against the three central farm laws, which later had to be repealed following a massive farmers’ movement. Since then the BJP has struggled to expand independently in Punjab. The SAD has faced erosion of its traditional support base. New political forces like the AAP have reshaped the state’s power balance.

2027 Elections: Alliance Arithmetic Returns to Centre Stage

With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, Punjab’s political landscape is once again witnessing a churn in alliance arithmetic. While the BJP leadership at the national level has so far maintained strategic silence, Amarinder Singh’s repeated statements, combined with growing murmurs inside the Punjab BJP, indicate that the idea of a reunion is quietly gaining momentum.

Political analysts believe that a revived SAD–BJP alliance could consolidate rural and urban Hindu-Sikh vote blocks. It could pose a serious challenge to the ruling AAP. It may also redefine the role of the Congress, which is currently struggling to regain momentum in the state

Big Question Remains: Will the High Command Act?

Despite the growing voices from within Punjab, the final call rests with the BJP’s central leadership and the SAD’s top brass. The political baggage of the farm laws, trust deficits between cadres, and the changing voter mood will all play a decisive role.

For now, Captain Amarinder Singh’s blunt assessment has thrown the alliance question back into Punjab’s political spotlight, setting the stage for intense behind-the-scenes negotiations in the run-up to 2027.