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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO Even as ‘Panthic’ politics, a political mobilisation surrounding the Sikh community’s collective identity, continues to be the cornerstone in Punjab’s electoral space, the restitching of an alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), could work in favour of the century-old SAD, which has been struggling to stage a political comeback in the State.If the Akali Dal’s “core support base” sees a genuine prospect of returning to power in 2027, through this alliance with the BJP, that itself could become a rallying point drawing voters back to the SAD led by Sukhbir Singh Badal, who has served as Deputy Chief Minister in two separate stints. Published - August 08, 2026 06:28 pm IST