Lok Sabha polls 2024: BJP to go solo in Punjab, no alliance with SAD

Polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held on June 1, the last phase of the seven-phase elections.

New Delhi: The BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal will not contest the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab together as alliance partners, state president Sunil Jakhar announced on Tuesday. He said the decision was taken based on the opinion of the people and party workers.

"We took this decision after considering the needs of the youngsters, farmers, and industries. Everyone knows that Modi ji has done for the welfare of the masses. When it comes to MSP – everyone knows that the grains are sold at the right price and that the money is sent to farmers every week,” Jakhar said in a video he posted on X.

A while later Sukhbir Badal also took to X to say that the SAD, unlike national parties, is not a political party driven by number games. “We are a 103-year-old movement with a clear vision and we have always stood by and for principles. That will continue to be our goal. Shiromani Akali Dal core committee has already made our position and priorities clear. For us, it is principles above politics and issues above any political numbers,” Badal’s post read.

He also said that the SAD is now the “largest democratic representative organisation” of farmers and have always fought for their rights.

The SAD, a former NDA constituent, had walked out to protest against the three farm bills, which have now been scrapped. Talks about SAD’s return to the NDA fold between the two parties have been held on a few occasions, but nothing has materialised yet.

BJP sources said that the two parties could not come to an agreement on the number of seats. The BJP had asked for 5 seats, while the SAD was willing to let go of only 3 to 4 seats in the state. Both the parties, who fought under an alliance in 2019, won 2 seats each among the 13 seats in the state. Polls in the state are scheduled to be held on June 1, during the last phase.

In an indication that it might go solo in the Lok Sabha polls, the SAD had earlier passed a resolution at its core committee meeting on Friday saying it would 'continue to put principles above politics'.

The resolution had urged the Centre to honour its 'categorical written commitment' for the release of 'Bandi Singhs' (Sikh prisoners) who had completed their terms.

It had also said that the SAD would continue to champion the cause of farmers and farm labourers and that all promises made to them must be fulfilled.

(With PTI inputs)