NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) are holding discussions on seat-sharing for the 2027 Punjab assembly elections, with a formal announcement on a possible alliance expected later this month, news agency PTI reported on Saturday, citing sources from both parties.The talks come amid growing speculation that the former allies could reunite after ending their decades-old partnership in 2020 over the now-repealed farm laws.Union Jal Shakti minister and BJP’s Punjab election in-charge C R Patil is expected to visit the state on November 17 and meet party leaders in Chandigarh, PTI reported citing sources. His visit comes as discussions around a possible alliance gain momentum.The speculation has also intensified following recent political engagements. Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi a few days ago and is learnt to have discussed issues concerning the state, including drug abuse.
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The two parties had shared power and contested elections together for several years before the SAD walked out of the alliance in September 2020 over the three farm laws. Under their previous seat-sharing arrangement for Punjab Assembly elections, the SAD contested 94 seats and the BJP 23 of the state’s 117 constituencies. In Lok Sabha polls, the SAD contested 10 seats and the BJP three.The BJP has since indicated that it is no longer willing to play a junior partner in Punjab and has maintained that it is preparing to contest all 117 assembly seats.In the 2022 Punjab assembly elections, the BJP won two seats, while the SAD secured three. The next assembly polls are due in 2027.
