Akali Dal MP hints at renewed ties with BJP, speaks of ‘agreements’ with Delhi

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday fuelled speculation regarding a feasible rapprochement with the BJP, referring to the need for political "agreements" with Delhi to bring development and progress to Punjab.

Key points

• The SAD and BJP had been long-standing allies before their ties broke down in 2020 over the Centre's farm laws.
• Harsimrat, meanwhile, attacked the ruling Aam Aadmi Party administration in Punjab, accusing it of running the state through "remote control" from Delhi.
• Referring to the recent attack on Sukhbir Badal in Nanded, Maharashtra, Harsimrat remarked her husband would not be intimidated by those responsible.
• She afterwards spoke of the need for political arrangements with the Centre, recalling what she described as the development Punjab had received through such agreements previously.
• Although Harsimrat did not name the BJP or announce any alliance, her remarks have revived speculation regarding a feasible reconciliation between the two former allies.

Addressing a party conference at Longowal to mark the 41st death anniversary of former SAD president Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, Harsimrat suggested that she was deliberately holding back from revealing details regarding the party's future political course.

"May Guru Sahib bless. It is not my duty to speak, so I am holding back my tongue. You will come to know yourself, " she remarked.

"May Guru Sahib bless us and may the individuals provide us strength. As applied to happen earlier, there should be such agreements through which development and progress are carried out from Delhi. Once again, the foundation of development and progress should be laid in Punjab, so that it benefits the individuals and Punjab, " she stated.

Although Harsimrat did not name the BJP or announce any alliance, her remarks have revived speculation regarding a feasible reconciliation between the two former allies. The speculation intensified after SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrat's husband, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The SAD had subsequently remarked the gathering focused on problems concerning Punjab.

Meanwhile, the SAD and BJP had been long-standing allies before their ties broke down in 2020 over the Centre's farm laws. The two parties contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections separately.

"Punjab is for Punjabis, " she remarked, adding that restoring peace and communal harmony, tackling gangsterism and eliminating drugs would be among the SAD's priorities if it returned to power.

She appealed to individuals to reject what she called "divisive forces" that were "looting the state" and damaging the future of Punjab's youth.

She questioned why Sukhbir had been attacked at a gurdwara and alleged that those behind the incidents were acting as "stooges of governments".

Harsimrat remarked the SAD had consistently prioritised peace, communal harmony and Punjab's development, alleging that its opponents were attempting to weaken the party by encouraging fringe elements.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia additionally targeted the AAP administration, alleging that drugs and gangsterism had not been eliminated and that corruption and law-and-order challenges continued under the Bhagwant Mann administration.

He further alleged that the state administration had failed to provide adequate backing to administration employees and farmers.

Taken together, the developments around akali Dal MP hints at renewed ties with BJP, speaks of 'agreements' point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.