Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday dodged a clear answer on whether BJP would re-stitch an alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) or contest all 117 seats on its own.Asked how to read Union home minister Amit Shah’s prediction of an NDA govt in Punjab in 2027, and Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon’s persistent stance that BJP would contest all 117 seats in Punjab, Badal said, “Main pandit taan haini. Hun tuhanu aap hi pata lag jaana thore dina vich hona ki hai (I am not a pandit. Things will be clear to you in coming days).”On the possibility of a re-alliance between SAD and BJP, Badal reiterated that except for “Punjab enemies Congress and AAP”, SAD was open to a tieup with any party that agreed with its philosophy and batted for Punjab’s interests.Badal was speaking to the media at an event where Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kadian) extended its unconditional support for the 2027 Punjab assembly elections.On three AAP MLAs joining BJP on Monday, Badal said, “No one will remain with ‘jharoo’ (broom, AAP’s symbol). You will see an exodus. Only two to four AAP leaders could be lucky enough to be elected; no more. Even Bhagwant Mann will lose badly from Dhuri.”“After Akali Dal forms govt in Punjab, inquiries will be opened on the very first day to bring to justice those who looted Punjab,” Badal added.
