- 30 minutes ago
Fresh political signaling from the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal has reignited speculation regarding a potential reunion ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. SAD Chief Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed openness to joining hands with like-minded parties while targeting both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and Congress, recalling the governance and peace under the previous SAD-BJP coalition rule. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah projected the formation of a National Democratic Alliance government in Punjab. The long-standing partnership had snapped in 2020 over the central farm laws after decades of joint governance. Panellists debated the electoral viability and arithmetic of an alliance, highlighting seat-sharing dynamics, past vote-share trends, and issues surrounding law enforcement and the narcotics crisis in the state.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Good evening, you're watching NewsTrack with me, Maria Shaquille.
00:03The BJP Akali Dal equation in Punjab is back in focus with fresh signals from both the sides
00:08staring speculation about a possible reunion.
00:12Akali Dal chief Sukbir Badal has opened the door to alliances with like-minded parties
00:19while Amit Shah has projected an NDA government in Punjab after the 2027 polls.
00:25Are the former allies inching towards a political reunion?
00:30Or is this just the beginning of another round of political signalling with seat-sharing
00:35and the terms of an alliance still uncertain?
00:38Before I bring in the guests and ask these questions, here's a report.
00:50In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies.
00:55Only frenemies.
00:58And in Punjab, an old political romance may be reigniting.
01:04Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukbir Singh Badal is signalling openness to joining hands with like-minded parties,
01:12taking aim at both the ARP and the Congress.
01:14Badal has also invoked the Shiromani Akali in the mid-west.
01:17Shiromani Akali is a Punjab number one.
01:21The government is not the only one who will live with the Punjabi.
01:26The government is not the only one who will live with the Punjabi.
01:27And we are the only two parties.
01:30The Shiromani Akali is the only one who will live with the Punjabi.
01:40Badal has also invoked the Shiromani Akalidal Bharatiya Janta Party coalition years
01:46arguing that Punjab enjoyed peace under their joint rule.
02:07This comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's big 2027 prediction and NDA government in Punjab.
02:20In India, the people of Punjab have told that this time the NDA government is going to be the NDA
02:35government.
02:36One statement and the alliance buzz is back.
02:40Earlier, Sukhbir Badal's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August had already set off speculation.
02:47Now, with Punjab heading towards another assembly election, the question is,
02:51can these former allies turn nostalgia into a new political pact?
02:57The relationship goes back decades.
03:00In 1996, Shiromani Akalidal and BGP cement ties.
03:051997, the alliance storms to power in Punjab.
03:102007 and 2012, two consecutive assembly victories cement their partnership.
03:182014, Akalidal and BGP fight the Lok Sabha post together,
03:22with Harsimrat Kaur Badal joining the Modi cabinet.
03:26But the honeymoon does not last.
03:27The alliance loses power in Punjab in 2017.
03:31In 2020, the farm laws become the breaking point.
03:36Shiromani Akalidal quits the NDA,
03:39accusing the centre of ignoring farmers' concerns over MSP guarantees.
03:44In 2022, the former allies fight separately and both suffer electoral setbacks.
03:52Reunion talks surface in 2024, but no deal materialises.
03:57Now, with 2027 in sight, the political calculations are back on the table.
04:04For the BGP, an old regional ally could matter in Punjab.
04:08For the Akalis, the question is whether a reunion can revive their political fortunes and on what terms.
04:16Because in politics, making up is one thing.
04:19Agreeing on the seat-sharing is quite another.
04:22Will the old alliance be revived, or will this remain another round of political flirtation?
04:29In Punjab, the next move could change the electoral equation.
04:34We are a report, India Today.
04:38So, is it now only a matter of time when the announcement will be made that old allies have reunited
04:47for the upcoming elections?
04:48Joining me on the show, Rashid Kidwai, author and political analyst.
04:52Mr. Grewal is a senior vice president of Fakali Dal and former cabinet minister.
04:57Dr. S.S. Chani is chief spokesperson of the BJP of Punjab.
05:01And Bikram Jit Singh, Pasi, is a national spokesperson of the Ahmadinei Party.
05:05Mr. Grewal, let me begin with you.
05:08The BJP is preparing to contest all 117 seats, is what they have been saying.
05:16But Akalis are also giving some kind of indication.
05:20We have seen what happened in 2019 and then what happened finally in 2024, when you contested separately.
05:27What makes you believe that a reunion can reverse the decline which has been there?
05:34Maria, first of all, I say adhaab to you.
05:37Good evening.
05:38Adhaab.
05:40See, the Punjab Baltics is a very interesting scene.
05:45And Shromani Akali Dal always took the decisions, not for power, but for the interest of the state.
05:53I just take a minute that in 1966, when Punjabi Subha came into being, before that, all the parties were
06:02at loggerhead.
06:04Akali Dal was championing for Punjabi Subha.
06:08Congress was opposing it.
06:09So was then Jansang and all other parties.
06:13But when the elections were held after the formation of Punjabi Subha, they all joined hands to oust the Congress.
06:21So Punjab has a different situation than the rest of the country.
06:26Now in Punjab, it is a situation of very uncomfortable political setup.
06:34There is no law and order.
06:37So in this uncomfortable political setup, you feel that you are best placed to have an alliance partner like the
06:46BJP.
06:46Yes, the reason is that we can't go for Congress because of Operation Blue Star and the misdeeds and the
06:57wrong acts committed by the AAP.
06:59So they both players are not parties which we can alliance.
07:06Okay, so you can't ally with the Aam Admi Party, no question whatsoever.
07:11They are in government, you are in opposition, also with the Congress Party, fine enough.
07:15So the only option is BJP.
07:17So it's only a matter of announcement now.
07:20So Dr. Chani, come in now.
07:21Now, the BJP's vote share rose from 6.6% in the 2022 Assembly elections to 18.56% in
07:29the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
07:31Yet it won zero parliamentary seats in Punjab.
07:35Do you feel that this is needed, that voters will trust you only if you have a local party such
07:43as the Akhalis in partnership?
07:48Maria, first of all, good in to you and my co-panelists and all the viewers.
07:54You know, since 2022, the BJP has been in a position to fight elections of its own.
08:02We contested all the 13 parliament seats, then we contested all the 117 Loks, Vdansaba seats and then even the
08:12municipal and Punjab elections.
08:13You know, you may be contesting, but you have seen the results.
08:18Yes, yes, that's there.
08:20You are contesting, but you are not winning.
08:23That's there, but we are improving.
08:25Now, listen to me.
08:26What I want to tell you is that I, to some extent, I endorse the views of Mr. Mishan's Garewal.
08:34Because, you know, the people of Punjab, as he said, and we also say the same thing, Punjab is a
08:40different state.
08:41It's totally different than other states.
08:43And it has a different culture, different pattern, different history and past.
08:48So, the BJP and Kali Dal has been in alliance since 1996.
08:54But it was mainly for the communal harmony and the development of the state.
09:00Because without a good land order and without communal harmony, no state can, especially like Punjab, can really think out
09:07well.
09:07So, the Chinese broke this alliance in 2020, because of farm laws.
09:15Yeah, that was their season.
09:17We didn't leave them.
09:18They left us.
09:19And, you know, and I must say one thing more, that this season rests with the Heikman.
09:27Maybe their Heikman also and our Heikman as well.
09:30So, basically, it's history.
09:31Maybe both the sides have forgotten what happened in 2020 and you have decided to move on?
09:38No.
09:38In politics, you know, there are many things that have happened.
09:42And you may have, you can call it let me go.
09:44Let's listen to Grewal.
09:46Maria, you are a very wise anchor and you know everything.
09:51In politics, no permanent enemies, no permanent friends.
09:57But you must have heard Mr. Sukhbir Singh's statement today after meeting the governor.
10:02He said for Akali Dal, first is Punjab, power is a secondary thing.
10:08Punjab, what Punjab wants, Akali Dal is bound and committed for that.
10:13So, it has to be for the betterment of Punjab and Punjabis.
10:18The phase through which the Punjab is passing out today.
10:22No, but tell me, Mr. Grewal, as a veteran politician yourself, what does the BJP bring on the table if
10:29an alliance happens?
10:32See, Maria, you know that when there is a question of marriage, the first thing is the family background is
10:40seen.
10:41The rest things are happening after it's a solemnized.
10:44See, it is the confidence should be between the parties.
11:00It's not a shop that we have to make a first haggling and then sort out.
11:07See, I don't think that any sane political party will like to play Punjab the same way it was played
11:15in the late 80s.
11:16Punjab suffered a lot and present situation in the Punjab is worse than the 80s.
11:21Maria, I am in politics for the last four decades.
11:25It's really, really, I will invite you that you come yourself and assess yourself.
11:31I'll be there, sir.
11:32I'll be on ground zero covering this election.
11:35So, let me bring in others on the show as well.
11:38Mr. Parsi, help me understand.
11:41How worried are you if this alliance actually takes shape?
11:45You know, if you look at the two spokespersons and, you know, one of them is a senior leader of
11:51the Kali Dal.
11:51So, he is privy to certainly more details.
11:54He has given all the indication that it's only a matter of time.
11:59Now, it is about announcement that is left.
12:02The deal is through.
12:04Maria, good evening to you and very respectable Maheshinder Garewalji, Chandni Ji and my other co-panelists and viewers.
12:11Maria, this is not a question of any political harmony or benefits of Punjab.
12:17Both the parties have lost their credibility in Punjab.
12:22People of Punjab are not going to put any faith upon both these parties because they have did so many
12:29misdeeds in Punjab during their tenure between 2007 to 2017.
12:35So, zero plus zero is equal to zero.
12:38Either they come together or they come separately in elections.
12:41The result will be the same because the people have no faith upon both these political parties.
12:49And in their rule, the Punjab first time heard about chitta.
12:53The Punjab first time heard about gangsters.
12:56And the joint rule of both these parties was the, you can say, curse for Punjab.
13:03And now come to the present situation.
13:05The present situation is indicating that in March 2026, when Mr. Amitsa came to Punjab, he was saying that in
13:13all these seats, we are going to contest independently.
13:17We are going to contest alone.
13:20But they have seen the actual base of their party.
13:24And now both the parties are trying to say that they are coming in a joint venture.
13:32But the reality is that the Amadmi party is going to repeat.
13:36And my learned friend, Mr. Mahesh Indra Garewal has stated about it.
13:40But are you not worried that all the promises that you made ahead of the elections, when you said that
13:46you will end the entire menace of drugs in a matter of six months, that has not been implemented.
13:53Drug remains a reality of Punjab and its youth.
13:57But we have guaranteed, we have fulfilled all these guarantees and even more than that.
14:02And regarding the drugs, we have tried our best.
14:05We have given best results in whole India.
14:07And moreover, if you talk about...
14:09What whole India, sir?
14:11You have to say Punjab, not the country.
14:13Maria, let me complete one question, one answer.
14:16Then ask the other, please.
14:17Please, if you talk about the law and order situation, it is the NCRB data which says that Punjab is
14:23on second place to implement the law and order situation, to control the crime.
14:28And in Haryana, the crime ratio is 739, 739, whereas in Punjab is 227.
14:36And who will be the big brother if they come joint?
14:38Okay, so who will be the big brother?
14:40That's a valid question.
14:42I will get response from both Mr. Chani and Mr. Greval.
14:46But Rashid is a political analyst and he has been waiting extremely patiently.
14:52So let me bring in Rashid.
14:53Rashid, looking at pure numbers.
14:57The BJP and Akali together polled 31.98% in the Lok Sabha elections.
15:04That was below their combined number in 2019, which was around 37.08%.
15:11If this reunion actually happens, you know, because it was one, you know, the fact is that the BJP Akalis,
15:20they have been one of the oldest alliances that India has seen in Indian politics.
15:25Since 23 years and counting, do you think they will be able to come up with a narrative and come
15:32up with an idea which will be seen as a pure alternative to Amadmi Party in Punjab?
15:39Because Punjab also has an important player in the Congress Party.
15:44Absolutely.
15:45So, Maria, I think, you know, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, he's very confident.
15:49And he's been talking about, you know, the BJP is bringing a surprise in Punjab and doing very well.
15:55But I think alliances are formed from the position of strength.
15:59And if the minor player is, you know, views itself as very powerful, in this case being the BJP, then
16:05the Akali Dal will have problems.
16:07So there will be structural problems.
16:09And I think Amadmi Party has made huge inroads.
16:12So when we look at the vote share, particularly in assembly elections, you see a lot of, you know, Akali
16:17votes have gone to the Amadmi Party and so has the Congress votes.
16:21So therefore, Amadmi Party, is there going to be collapse?
16:24I don't see that happening.
16:26And some of the surveys have also indicated.
16:28So as long as AAP is holding on to its position and Mr. Maan's email…
16:32Are you seeing a triangular contest?
16:35I am seeing a hung house.
16:36Frankly, I don't see anybody, you know, crossing a majority mark.
16:40So in that case, it will be quite, you know, mind-boggling how, you know, the political parties will align
16:46together.
16:47Just as a, you know, a matter of justice.
16:49I mean, in 2022, it was a wave election for the Amadmi Party.
16:53Even if they come down, how bad can they do?
16:58How bad?
16:59If there is a slide, how bad can it be?
17:02So, Maria, we have seen that, you know, it's bad, then sometimes it gets very bad.
17:06We have seen it in Delhi, what happened to Amadmi Party.
17:09But I don't personally, in my assessment, I don't see Amadmi Party falling to that Delhi standard and collapsing or
17:15handing over power.
17:16So it will be a hung house.
17:18And let me remind you, you see, the pre-independent era, in fact, the Akalis and the Congress were together.
17:23So, you know, there is all kind of mind-boggling possibilities exist.
17:27All political parties will deny.
17:29But I think the BJP will remain on one side and the Congress on the other side.
17:32And the other political parties will have to find a way who they align with.
17:37It will be a fascinating contest, certainly, in Punjab.
17:41So, since the Amadmi Party spokesperson raised the question of who will be the big brother in this alliance between
17:49the BJP and the Kalis,
17:51is I think in those 23 years, as an observer of politics, what I saw was that in Delhi, it
17:58was a different equation.
17:59In Punjab, it was a totally different equation.
18:01BJP agreed to be a smaller brother in the state of Punjab.
18:06In Delhi, the BJP, being a national party, was the big brother.
18:09Isn't that a fair assessment, Mr. Greval?
18:11Maria, you are perfectly right.
18:13See, I tell you, I will take your one minute because I think nobody allows Punjabis to speak.
18:19But in Maria's rule, we must be able to speak the things.
18:23In 1996, when Atal Bairi Vajpi led the BJP, they got 172 seats.
18:2918 seats were got by the Shev Sena.
18:33They had full number of 190, much short of the total, absolute majority of 272.
18:39And Akali Dal contested that election in alliance with the BSP.
18:44And the Akalis won 10 seats and 9 seats and the BSP got 3 seats and one went to the
18:51Congress.
18:52But when it comes to the formation of government, knowing fully well, knowing fully well,
18:58that the government is not going to survive the flow test,
19:02we stood with the Paharti Janata Party for the sake of communal harmony in Punjab, national interest.
19:11It was not a power game.
19:14My friend, Mr. Pahsi from AAP is worried about our status.
19:18We are not AAP that we in Chandigarh, in case of mayor, you support the Congress in Punjab, you give
19:26them bites.
19:27In national level, you join India.
19:30In Punjab, you fight with each other.
19:32And still, you are joint holders.
19:36Any day, you can join hands with the Congress.
19:39What about the expert was saying,
19:42Maria, one thing you also must be keeping in mind that this parliament election in 24,
19:48they have 95, 94 MLS.
19:52And what their chief minister and the leadership was saying,
19:55we will sweep the poor, nobody will get a single seat.
19:59What happened?
20:00They got only two.
20:01Rather, they only won two seats.
20:03Hushyarpur and Sangroor with a margin of more than one leg.
20:08The Anandpursa was just 10,000 votes.
20:10So they lost practically 11 seats.
20:14Punjab is a snakes and ladder.
20:16When you reach 99, you can come to zero, not to the hundred.
20:21So keep this thing in mind.
20:24Killing of Mr. Jhuta, gank.
20:27And I tell this gentleman, in the last two days,
20:31two police constables were arrested with millions of rupees, chitta.
20:39They can't, a simple constable can't dare to carry such a big consignment.
20:45They're a political pattern.
20:47This I'm not saying.
20:48This is the statement of Kejriwal and Bhagwanthamal.
20:51You know, Mr. Parsi, you know, that certainly is a matter of concern.
20:54Because with the CBI taking over these cases,
20:58and in the last, you know, few days as well,
21:03your own target of ensuring that it becomes a drug-free Punjab,
21:10that hasn't really happened.
21:11You don't have a measurable success.
21:14And this killing of Jhuta Singh has certainly changed
21:21how this entire, you know, how the enforcement has failed,
21:28how the illegal trade, the drug trade is continuing,
21:33and the Aam Admi Party government has much to explain.
21:38It's an organized crime.
21:41In which it is evident that the political class
21:45has much to explain as much as the cops on the ground
21:49and the law enforcement agencies.
21:52Maria, this is the Punjab police who has arrested the accused
21:56within 24 hours.
21:57And what happened in the regime of Akali Bhajpa government,
22:00in 2013, there were 805 murders,
22:04and even 17 target killings in 2016 and 17.
22:08I remember Mr. Gagneja, Ramesh Kumar, Chand Kaur, Mata,
22:13so many things.
22:14So a crime is committed by a criminal,
22:17but in the regime of Akali Bhajpa government,
22:19the accused were going there and there freely.
22:24But in our government, a strict action has been taken
22:26against the accused persons, criminals.
22:28And within 24 hours, every criminal has either in jail
22:31or in hospital.
22:33And this is the law and order situation in Punjab,
22:35which has been maintained by Aam Admi Party government.
22:38And NCRB data says that Punjab is on second place
22:41in maintaining the law and order.
22:44And third thing is...
22:45Which data?
22:45Third thing is...
22:46Third thing is...
22:47Yes, NCRB data, I have.
22:49And in Haryana, 2023,
22:511,042 murders.
22:541,042 murders in one year.
22:572023, I have another year's detail also.
23:01So the actual law and order situation is worst in BJP ruling states.
23:06And whether the Akali Dal has no right to speak on Chandigarh,
23:13has the Akali Dal lost their vision over waters of Punjab,
23:19whether the Akali Dal is going to accept the anti-farmers' American trade deal,
23:25whether the issues of farmers have been settled by central government...
23:29A lot of questions being asked.
23:30Dr. Chandni, quickly, 30 seconds.
23:32And then I'll give the last word to Rashid.
23:34Go ahead, 30 seconds.
23:36I don't know what he wants to say.
23:39He's trying to say, you know, the things have been bad here and there.
23:43But the people gave them 92 MLA's.
23:46What have they done?
23:48You know, they have ruined the state of Punjab.
23:50They have ruined the culture.
23:52They have ruined the youth of the state.
23:54And they have eaten up one generation.
23:57And, you know, now we say that even the delivery of the pizza can be delayed.
24:02But, you know, in every nook and koran of the state,
24:06you can just order and have the pudi, pudi, who we call it,
24:09you know, small packet of chitta.
24:11So, you know, they have done the maximum damage to the state of Punjab.
24:17And my friend is not telling.
24:19I ask him one thing.
24:21Where is the fear?
24:23They are patronizing.
24:24They are, you know, totally, you know, they are mixed with them.
24:29And even the police in uniform, then everybody.
24:33And they are just mixed up with them.
24:36And every leader is giving them the patronage.
24:41Rats have eaten.
24:42It is the report of Gujarat government.
24:44Oh, my dear friend, tell us that who makes the pudis and who delivers.
24:48And what are you doing?
24:51The masters sitting in Gujarat.
24:53And this environment, I have been the deputy commissioner for six years.
24:57He can be converted into, he can be converted into gateway of Gujarat.
25:00And during those days, it was not that bad as they are happening now.
25:05Okay, so let me try and sum up this conversation.
25:08Dr. Graeval and Dr. Chani, so it's a matter of announcement only.
25:11Dr. Graeval first.
25:13That the deal is done, it's only a matter of announcement, Dr. Graeval.
25:17I tell you, it is for the high command to decide.
25:21Dr. Graeval is for the high command.
25:22Do you have information, tell us?
25:25Dr. Graeval is for the high command.
25:25The information is for the phone, they show you.
25:28You can tell us on the phone, you can tell us on the TV.
25:29Dr. Graeval, right.
25:30One thing I would like to tell Maria is my gentleman friend, Masi said so many things.
25:36I just asked him a very simple question.
25:38Mr. Masi, if you have shown the wonderful thing, results in Punjab.
25:42Why you couldn't get a single-seater in Haryana, which is the home state of your convener?
25:47Why you couldn't get even 1% vote in Himachal?
25:51You got in Punjab only for one reason.
25:53Because Punjabis believe and trust a person, what he speaks from the mouth.
25:58All right. I have just enough time for Rashid Kidwai.
26:01Rashid, it's an important election for Punjab and also for the Congress Party, I would say.
26:07They have been in opposition and here is the BJP with its old alliance partner,
26:13which has governed Punjab for a significant number of years,
26:17making all issues, raising the issue particularly of drugs, that will resonate with the people.
26:24Do you think Congress needs to get its act together to be seen in this important battlefield?
26:31So, Maria, I think that's been a writing on the wall.
26:33Congress is a natural party for governance.
26:36As far as Punjab is concerned, it has roots and deep roots in society,
26:40both among the Sikh community as well as among the Hindus and Dalits and all segments of society.
26:46But because its house is not in order, though Mr. Sachin Pallet is trying hard, there's a problem.
26:51Both Amadvi Party and the Congress are fighting a very grim battle of survival.
26:56Because, you know, if they lose, if they fail to win, then there's nowhere.
27:00I would just say one thing for my, you know, friends of, you know, Akali and BJP,
27:04in politics, two and two not necessarily convert into, you know, four.
27:09All right.
27:11That's quintessential Rashid summing it up.
27:13Thank you so much for joining us, Mr. Graywal, Dr. Channi, Mr. Pasi and also Rashid Kidwai.
27:18That's all from me on this edition of NewsTrack.
27:21Thanks so much for watching.