SAD backs women's quota, delimitation bills after Badal-PM Modi meet

Shift in Stance

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday announced its support for the women's reservation and delimitation bills, a significant departure from its earlier position. The statement came a day after party chief Sukhbir Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, triggering intense speculation about a possible reunion with the BJP.

Political observers see the development as a calculated move by the Akali leadership to reposition itself. The party, which has been out of power in Punjab since 2017, appears to be exploring a fresh political alignment ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.

The Meeting and Its Signals

The Modi-Badal meeting, though officially described as a courtesy call, has set off a wave of conjecture across political circles. Sources indicate that discussions touched upon national issues, including the contentious delimitation exercise and the long-pending women's reservation bill.

While neither side has confirmed any formal alliance talks, the timing is telling. The Akali Dal has been struggling to regain its footing after the 2020 farm laws protests, which led to its break with the BJP. A rapprochement, if it materialises, could redraw Punjab's political equations.

Panthic Politics and Core Base

The SAD's support for delimitation is particularly noteworthy, given the party's earlier reservations about the exercise. Analysts point out that the Akali leadership is trying to balance its 'Panthic' identity with pragmatic electoral calculations. By backing the bills, the party hopes to project itself as a constructive opposition while keeping its Sikh core constituency engaged.

Political observers note that a renewed SAD-BJP tie-up could help the Akali Dal reclaim its traditional base, which has been eroded by the Aam Aadmi Party's rise in the state. The alliance, if formalised, would also give the BJP a much-needed partner in Punjab, where it has limited electoral presence.

Reactions and Road Ahead

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions. While SAD leaders have framed the support as a principled stand, opposition parties in Punjab have accused the Akali Dal of compromising its earlier position for political gains. The Congress and AAP have both questioned the timing of the decision.

Political watchers, however, caution against reading too much into a single meeting. "Alliances in Punjab politics are never straightforward," said a senior analyst. "The farm laws issue left deep scars, and any patch-up would need careful handling."

For now, the focus remains on how the BJP responds to the Akali overture. The central leadership has not issued any formal statement on the meeting, but sources suggest that back-channel talks are underway.

The next few months are expected to be crucial, with both parties likely to test waters through public posturing and informal signals. Whether the Badal-Modi meeting translates into a formal alliance will depend on negotiations over seat-sharing and policy flexibility.

As Punjab prepares for the 2027 polls, the political ground is clearly shifting. The Akali Dal's latest move indicates that it is willing to make strategic compromises to reclaim its relevance, even as it seeks to retain its distinct identity.