The BJP has failed to reach a consensus within its Punjab unit on an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal, and the decision on whether to join hands with the Akalis will now be taken on the basis of survey findings. The Punjab Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in February, but the BJP is yet to decide whether it will contest the polls independently or in alliance with the Akali Dal.
Surveys are now being conducted to determine whether the BJP should contest the elections on its own or join hands with the Akali Dal. Three survey agencies have been engaged for the exercise in Punjab. According to sources, the BJP’s old guard in Punjab does not want to contest the elections in alliance with the Akali Dal, while leaders who have joined the BJP from the Congress and Akali Dal want the two parties to contest the elections together.
The BJP leadership decided to conduct surveys on the issue after the two factions within the party failed to reach a consensus. Three survey agencies have been assigned the task of assessing the issue in Punjab. The results of all three surveys are expected by next week, based on which the BJP will take a decision on an alliance with the Akali Dal in Punjab.
The survey exercise is expected to assess the electoral viability of both options across Punjab, including the likely response of voters, party workers and local organisational units. It will also help the BJP leadership gauge whether an alliance could strengthen its position or whether contesting independently would offer greater organisational space. The findings are expected to provide a structured basis for discussions within the state unit and with the central leadership before a final decision is announced.
It is pertinent to note that Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal had recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered to form an alliance in Punjab. Since then, a debate has been underway within the BJP over whether to enter into an alliance with the Akali Dal. The BJP is expected to take a decision on the issue after the survey agencies submit their findings next week.
