‘Panthic’ politics: SAD-BJP renewed alliance could reignite Akali Dal’s core base ahead of 2027 Punjab polls

At the same time as ‘Panthic’ politics, a political mobilisation surrounding the Sikh group’s collective identification, continues to be the cornerstone in Punjab’s electoral house, the restitching of an alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), might work in favour of the century-old SAD, which has been struggling to stage a political comeback within the State.

If the Akali Dal’s “core assist base” sees a real prospect of returning to energy in 2027, via this alliance with the BJP, that itself might turn into a rallying level drawing voters again to the SAD led by Sukhbir Singh Badal, who has served as Deputy Chief Minister in two separate stints.