Amritsar, June 16 — Senior Punjab BJP leader and state media coordinator Ashwani Sekhri on Sunday said that the people of Punjab wanted the Bharatiya Janata Party to form the next state government in 2027 — but in alliance with a regional party.
Speaking at a party programme, Sekhri refrained from naming any specific regional outfit, but when asked, he acknowledged his personal wish to see the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) regain strength. “Being a Punjabi, I want the SAD to be strong in the state,” he said.
The comment comes amid fresh speculation about a possible revival of ties between the BJP and the SAD, whose decades-long alliance fractured in 2020 over the now-repealed farm laws. The SAD had exited the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) following mass protests by farmers in Punjab.
Sekhri’s remarks followed a statement by senior Akali leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder, who said SAD could reconsider a pact with the BJP if “Punjab-related issues” were addressed.
State BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also recently weighed in on the matter, urging all Akali factions to unite and reforge a strong Panthic force to “keep radicals at bay.”
Sekhri added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shown consistent care and vision for Punjab and was uniquely positioned to help the state overcome its mounting debt, rising unemployment, and pervasive drug problem.
“Only Modi ji can save Punjab from the crisis it is in. People want the BJP back, but they want it to partner with a regional force,” Sekhri said.
