For Panthic votes, Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) prefers Left to BJP
Akali Dal (SAD) striving to regain Panthic support and unite all Akali Dal factions, Punjab-based party leaders feel the environment is not favourable for alliance with former decades-old ally BJP.
Akali leaders believe the party would continue its alliance with BSP and may form a grand alliance by joining hands with Left parties, including CPM and CPI.
Last month, on Akali Dal's 103rd anniversary, Badal apologised for his government's «administrative failures» in the 2015 sacrilege cases and urged for breakaway reunification for Panthic unity. He publicly apologised for failing to apprehend Guru Granth Sahib desecration culprits in 2015 under his tenure.
Akali Dal has always highlighted Sikh issues, but after the defeat in 2022 assembly polls, Badal has been trying to reclaim panthic votes and shared the stage with hardline Sikh leaders like SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and Sikh preacher Baljit Singh Dadduwal.
Recently, Badal and the SGPC president visited the family of Late Akal Takht Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke and pledged full support to them. Kaunke's family claims six police officers killed the Sikh spiritual leader.
Senior Akali Dal leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder believes the party would prioritise religion and agriculture (Panth te Kisani). Bhunder stated «the situation and circumstances are not conducive for alliance with BJP.» Both parties will struggle to agree ideologically, especially with the current BJP leadership."
He added that beside BSP there are many options for SAD, including Left parties such as CPM and CPI.
