CHANDIGARH / NEW DELHI — In a major political pivot signaling a potential revival of the NDA alliance in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has publicly extended support to the Centre’s Delimitation Bill and urged the immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
The policy reversal comes just a day after Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament, fueling intense speculation that the former long-term allies are preparing to reunite ahead of upcoming electoral battles.
Key Highlights
-
Strategic Policy Reversal: SAD has backed the proposal for a uniform 50% increase in parliamentary/assembly seats across all states, reversing its previous opposition to the Delimitation Bill.
-
Women’s Reservation Push: The party called for immediate enforcement of women’s quota in legislative bodies, highlighting that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) already implements women’s reservation.
-
Alliance Renewal Signals: Following separate 2022 state and 2024 Lok Sabha election runs, leadership from SAD, Punjab BJP, and RSS are reportedly aligned on restoring the coalition that originally broke in 2020.
-
Shifting Dynamics: Unlike previous seat-sharing arrangements where SAD was the dominant partner, discussions indicate the BJP central leadership seeks an equal partnership moving forward.
