Return of veterans to Shiromani Akali Dal, speculations of NDA alliance in Punjab

According to NDTV reports, the Shiromani Akali Dal is working on a strategy to strengthen its organization for the upcoming 2027 assembly elections. In this party, which has been a major political force in Punjab in the past, some old veteran leaders are making a comeback, which is giving signals of restoring unity in the party organization. Prem Singh Chandumajra, who has been a Member of Parliament three times in the past, rejoined the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Akali Dal on Friday, 6 November, along with his son and former MLA Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra.

Apart from this, sources from the Akali Dal and SAD Punar Surjit party have confirmed that former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Bibi Jagir Kaur is also ready to return to the party.

The homecoming of all these leaders could also encourage other disgruntled members of the party to return to the main organization, which could prove to be a major blow to the splintered faction. This political development is also significant because efforts have been intensified by the Bharatiya Janata Party to bring the Akali factions back together and for a possible arrangement under the National Democratic Alliance in Punjab. A statement regarding the formation of an NDA government in the state has been given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, which has further intensified speculations about the revival of the old alliance between the BJP and the Akali Dal, which broke down in the year 2020 over the farm laws. The return of Prem Singh Chandumajra to the party after holding meetings with senior BJP leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi adds further strength to these speculations.

For the BJP, if the Akali Dal unites, it could get a regional ally in Punjab with a traditional Sikh support base and a strong organizational network. However, after the year 2020, the political equations of Punjab have completely changed and at present, the BJP wants to independently expand its presence in the state. Any potential reunion will have to resolve difficult questions like seat sharing, political positioning, and the balance of power within the alliance. While the return of senior faces like Chandumajra and Jagir Kaur may strengthen the party's organizational machinery and bring back experienced leaders, it also raises questions about the party's ability to connect with young voters.

Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal appears aware of this challenge and has started efforts to reach out to the Gen Z generation through the 'Vibe Punjab Di' campaign. In this direction, he interacted with students at Khalsa College, Patiala on 1 October, and earlier held meetings with youth in Bathinda and Patiala as well. The purpose of all these efforts was to present a more accessible image and engage young voters on issues like employment, law and order, and the future of Punjab. However, social media campaigns and interactions with students may not prove to be enough, because to attract young voters who do not have much political memory of the party's decade-long rule, the party will have to give credible answers on serious issues like unemployment, drugs, migration, education, and opportunities.

Amidst this entire situation, the biggest challenge for the Shiromani Akali Dal remains its old political baggage. This party, which dominated Punjab's politics for years, will have to leave its old image behind and move forward.

Shiromani Akali Dal is a historical regional political party of Punjab which has run the government in the state for a long time and has played an important role in Punjabi politics.