Amritsar, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Minister and Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale on Friday called for an alliance between the BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and RPI ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, saying the coalition was necessary to prevent the Congress from returning to power in the state.
Speaking to IANS, Athawale said the law-and-order situation in Punjab and what he described as growing dissatisfaction among different sections of society had weakened the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
“The law-and-order situation in Punjab is not good. Bhagwant Mann, who is the Chief Minister from the Aam Aadmi Party, was given power by the people. But in these five years, he has not been able to deliver justice to the people of Punjab,” he said.
Athawale claimed that farmers, poor people, youth, women, Dalits, Sikhs and Hindus were dissatisfied with the state government and asserted that the AAP would lose power.
He said an NDA government could be formed in Punjab and argued that the BJP and SAD should revive their earlier alliance.
“I personally believe that the BJP and the Akali Dal should come together. Earlier also, they have been in coalition for a long time. So, I think that in order to stop the Congress from coming to power in Punjab, an alliance between BJP, Akali Dal and RPI is necessary,” he said.
Speculation over a possible revival of the SAD-BJP alliance intensified last month after SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Badal’s office did not disclose details of the meeting, while SAD sources said Punjab-related issues, including law and order and alleged irregularities in welfare schemes under the AAP government, were discussed.
On the alleged desecration of a statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar in Ludhiana, Athawale said anti-social elements appeared to be attempting to create divisions in society. He condemned the incident, saying an attack on Ambedkar’s statue could not diminish his stature or respect.
Athawale called for a thorough investigation and immediate arrest of those responsible. The incident had triggered protests in Ludhiana, with the city observing a bandh from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
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