Lok Sabha 2024: BJP To Go Solo In Punjab, Sunil Jakhar Announces After Alliance Talks With Akali Dal Did Not Materialise

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar announced on Tuesday (26 March) that the party will contest solo in the state in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for 1 June.

The BJP was in alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for over two decades in Punjab. However, the alliance broke in 2020 over the farm laws.

Jakhar said that the decision to contest solo is based on the opinion of the people and party workers. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the betterment of Punjab.

There were talks of possible realignment of the SAD with the BJP. But since farmers are still protesting, the SAD reportedly decided to not join hands with the BJP.

A meeting of SAD's core committee was held on 22 March to discuss the party's election strategy and the decision to not ally with the BJP might have been made in that.

Earlier in the month, Sukhbir Singh Badala had highlighted its continued alliance with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and dismissed media speculations about a BJP tie-up.

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) also merged with the SAD to foster unity in the Sikh community. Dhindsa said that Badal's remorse over the sacrilege cases of 2015 influenced the merger.