Punjab: SAD upbeat about creating formidable joint front minus Congress & AAP

Party leaders said that the talks by Harsimrat Badal and meetings by Chandumajra have yielded “results” and a joint meeting is likely in Delhi in this month.

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Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal (File)

After rounds of backchannel talks with leaders of regional parties and its senior leader Prem Singh Chandumajra holding meetings with leaders of other states, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is hopeful of a formidable joint front, minus Congress and AAP, in the coming days.

While former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has been in touch with several leaders like DMK MP Kanimozhi, TMC Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien, NCP MP Supriya Sule, who is daughter of Sharad Pawar, the party had also formed a committee comprising Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Sikandar Singh Maluka and Prem Singh Chandumajra for holding meetings with the regional party leaders.

Since Maluka has been busy with farmers protest and Bhunder was indisposed, Chandumajra went around holding several meeting with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thakrey, and leaders of Biju Janata Dal.

Party leaders said that the talks by Harsimrat Badal and meetings by Chandumajra have yielded “results” and a joint meeting is likely in Delhi in this month.

“We are pleased with the outcome of the meetings. They have been fruitful. The regional parties are looking for a platform together to have a united voice against the Centre. That platform is being created. Otherwise, the federalism has been under attack by Centre. All this started after implementation of GST. The states have no money ever since. Now, there are these farm laws which are a further attack on the states as they cannot charge the market fee and RDF. We are hoping that a joint front is going to be born soon,” said Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, spokesperson of SAD.

Former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is the brain behind the initiative.

“Badal sahib and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal have been closely monitoring the talks with other regional parties. The outcome would be for everybody to see,” said Parambans Singh Romana, national spokesperson of SAD.

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Sources in the party said that Maluka and Bhunder will also start visiting the leaders in other states soon.

“Earlier, Congress was considered a fulcrum of opposition of BJP. But now there is a feeling that Congress is disintegrating and at the same time everybody is looking at a strong joint forum,” said Romana.

Sources said that the party had suggested to Sukhbir to put Harsimrat Badal at the forefront of talks. “But Sukhbir ji wanted a non-Badal. Thereafter, a three-member committee was formed.”

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Besides, SAD leader Naresh Gujral has been in touch with several other leaders.

The SAD will not hold any meetings with Congress and AAP. Both the political outfits are active in Punjab and also the SAD and Congress have ideological differences. SAD has always been hitting out at Congress for the Blue Star operation to flush out militants from Golden Temple and also for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Both these parties have been sworn political rivals in the state.

AAP is the main opposition party in Punjab and any truck with Arvind Kejriwal will not go down well for the SAD.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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