Amarinder Singh fuels Punjab political heat: BJP‑Akali Dal alliance “essential” for govt

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) : Politics in Punjab has begun to heat up ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. Meanwhile, former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has made a significant statement. He said that if the BJP wants to form a government in Punjab, an alliance with the Akali Dal is essential.

Captain Amarinder Singh stated that the BJP cannot form a government in Punjab alone. For this, an alliance between the BJP and the Akali Dal is necessary. This statement has sparked a political uproar. Captain Amarinder Singh clearly stated that the BJP lacks a deep understanding of Punjab's social and political structure. He said, "If you want to win the 2027 elections, you must strengthen your cadre, but this will take two or three elections. An alliance with the Akali Dal is the only path to victory."

Meanwhile, Captain Amarinder Singh also stated that he is fully fit and ready to return to active politics for the 2027 assembly elections. He said, “There is no other way to form a government; we must go with the Akali Dal.”

It's worth noting that the BJP and the Akali Dal had a long-standing alliance. The BJP had been an ally of the Akali Dal since the days of the old Jan Sangh. The alliance between the two parties ended in 2020 amid the farmers' protests. The Akali Dal withdrew from the NDA in support of the farmers' protests and in protest against the agricultural laws. Despite their political split, the leaders of both parties showed no bitterness towards each other. In the 2022 assembly elections, both parties contested separately with new allies. In the 117-member assembly, the Akali Dal won three seats, while the BJP won only two. The Akali Dal received 18.38 percent of the vote, while the BJP received 6.6 percent.