Akali Dal desperately seeking BJP tie-up, says AAP Punjab
Synopsis
AAP Punjab has called out Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for what it says is a pattern of political somersaults — from backing farm laws to opposing them, and now reportedly seeking a fresh understanding with the BJP. The party's DNA-test jibe, once aimed at BJP-joiners, is now being turned against Badal himself.
Key Takeaways
AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu accused Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal of seeking a fresh understanding with the BJP .
Pannu alleged the Badal family initially supported the farm laws before reversing course after public backlash.
Badal had once said politicians joining the BJP would need a 'DNA test' — a remark AAP is now citing against him.
AAP claimed the Akali Dal's credibility on the 'beadbi' (sacrilege) issue has been permanently eroded in Punjab .
AAP asserted that voters in Punjab have already rejected Akali Dal politics and will not be misled by its latest overtures.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday accused the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its chief Sukhbir Singh Badal of repeatedly abandoning their political positions for short-term gains and now desperately courting a fresh understanding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The charge came from AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu in Chandigarh.
The Farm Laws Flip-Flop
Pannu trained his attack on the Akali Dal's record during the farm laws controversy, alleging that the Badal family initially appeared in videos expressing support for the very legislation they later opposed. 'Today Sukhbir Singh Badal is saying that he fully agrees with some of the Bills being brought by the BJP government at the Centre. But the people of Punjab remember very well that when the farm laws were introduced, the entire Badal family was seen making videos in support of those very laws,' Pannu said.
According to Pannu, it was only after facing widespread public anger that the Badals reversed course and began positioning themselves as champions of farmers — a shift he described as opportunistic rather than principled.
The 'DNA Test' Reminder
Pannu also recalled a pointed remark Sukhbir Badal himself had once made about politicians crossing over to the BJP. 'Let me remind Sukhbir Badal of his own words. He had said that those people who were joining the BJP would have to undergo a DNA test. I am not saying that anyone's DNA should actually be tested, but when Sukhbir Badal himself made that statement, it is worth mentioning today,' he said. The remark was cited to highlight what AAP characterises as a glaring contradiction in the Akali Dal's current political direction.
Sacrilege Issue and Public Trust
Pannu argued that the Akali Dal's handling of the 'beadbi' (sacrilege) issue had cost it irreversibly among Punjab's electorate. He said the party's credibility on the issue had 'fallen completely out of the hearts of the people of Punjab,' and that its present bid for a BJP accommodation was a symptom of that deeper crisis of trust.
AAP's Political Reading
The AAP leader asserted that voters in Punjab had already rendered their verdict on the Akali Dal's brand of politics and would not be swayed by what he termed its latest attempt to seek political accommodation with the BJP. He said the repeated U-turns of the Badal family had exposed the fundamental character of the party's politics, and that people could clearly distinguish between those who held firm to principles and those who shifted positions for convenience.
The broadside comes amid ongoing political realignments in Punjab ahead of future electoral cycles, with the Akali Dal still searching for a credible path back after its 2022 assembly rout.
Point of View
Now weaponised against him, underscores how completely the party's Panthic identity has been hollowed out. If the SAD does re-enter the BJP orbit, it risks permanently ceding its core Sikh voter base to AAP — which is precisely the outcome AAP is betting on.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has AAP accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of?
AAP Punjab has accused the Shiromani Akali Dal and its chief Sukhbir Singh Badal of making repeated political U-turns and now desperately seeking a fresh understanding with the BJP for political survival. The party's media in-charge Baltej Pannu made the charge in Chandigarh on Saturday.
What was the Badal family's position on the farm laws?
According to AAP, the Badal family initially appeared in videos supporting the farm laws before reversing course after widespread public anger and positioning themselves as pro-farmer. AAP has cited this as evidence of opportunistic politics rather than principled opposition.
What is the 'DNA test' remark AAP is referring to?
Sukhbir Singh Badal had previously said that politicians joining the BJP would have to undergo a DNA test. AAP's Baltej Pannu cited this remark to highlight what he called a contradiction, given the Akali Dal's reported current efforts to seek accommodation with the BJP.
Why does AAP say the Akali Dal has lost public trust in Punjab?
AAP argues that the Akali Dal's handling of the 'beadbi' or sacrilege issue, combined with its repeated policy reversals, has permanently damaged its credibility among Punjab voters. The party says the electorate has already rejected Akali Dal politics.
What is the broader political context of this attack?
The broadside comes as Punjab's political landscape continues to shift ahead of future elections. The Akali Dal has been searching for a viable political identity since its heavy defeat in the 2022 Punjab assembly elections, making its relationship with the BJP a closely watched question.
