Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri (File photo) NEW DELHI: Union minister and BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri said on Saturday that the party would either contest the upcoming Punjab assembly elections without an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) or seek an equal seat-sharing arrangement if the two parties join hands.“The earlier 22-seat formula will no longer work. The BJP will not play the role of a junior partner,” he told reporters in Amritsar, referring to the previous arrangement under which the BJP contested 22-23 of Punjab’s 117 Assembly seats, while the SAD contested the remaining seats.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesA meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal in August had sparked speculation that the two parties could renew their union. The SAD ended its alliance with the BJP in 2020 in protest against the Centre’s contentious farm laws, which were subsequently repealed.Meanwhile, Puri also asserted that the BJP would leave “no stone unturned” to eradicate the drug menace in Punjab. He said the BJP-led government at the Centre was working on a “war footing” to create employment opportunities for unemployed youth in the state.Taking aim at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Puri claimed that Punjab had reached a “bad situation” under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government, alleging “misrule” in the state.“People are feeling insecure. The police, whose job is to protect the public, are themselves feeling insecure,” the Union minister added.(With PTI inputs)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDoval Recalls Chinese Capture Of Intelligence Team During Border MissionDUSU ELECTIONS WARNING TO CONGRESS—–19-09-2026Saayoni Ghosh Bats For TMC Congress Alliance, Calls For ‘True Partnership’ Ahead Of Nandigram BypollShocking Hit-And-Run In Greater Noida: Car Hits Four, Driver Escapes; Police Make ArrestRavneet Singh Bittu Detained In Ludhiana After Egg-Tomato Protest As Bhagwant Mann’s Convoy PassesFIR Filed Against IIT-Bombay After Student’s Death Following ChatGPT-Linked Exam Row | Watch’I Can’t Contest’…Mamata Banerjee’s TMC Faces Bypoll Setback As Two Candidates Withdraw | WatchAshok Gehlot Questions Congress Strategy After Rajasthan Poll Setback | What Went Wrong?“No Road, No Vote”: Union Minister Scindia’s Response To Youth In Guna Goes Viral | Watch‘TMC Mine Until…’: Mamata Supports Congress In Nandigram Bypoll; Ritabrata’s ‘Cult’ Jibe At Didi123Photostories5 relationship “icks” that are actually signs of incompatibility10 beautiful baby names for your little one that symbolise light and radiance5 Easy no-bake desserts you can prepare at home without using an ovenTravelling to Canada from India? 7 things first-time visitors should knowFrom Shab Deg to Kalathappam: Local Indian dishes that deserve a royal comebackFrom pumpkin seeds to chia and crumbled paneer: How to elevate a bowl of papaya as a high-protein breakfastSanjeev Kapoor’s Dal Tadka Recipe turns 5 pantry staples into a restaurant-style lunch in under 30 minutesPsychology says eating while watching something may make it harder to notice this one important signalBanana botox to kitchen skincare: Why are these viral DIY beauty hacks trending again?5 Healthy oatmeal smoothie recipes for breakfast: Easy and nutritious drinks to start your day123Hot PicksDeepanshu ShokeenRussia sanctions billSurendra KoliNavya ShekhawatCBSE Date SheetShapoor MistryDelhi rapeNSE IPOSwatantra BhardwajTop TrendingAbhishek SharmaJared YoungWWE Money In the BankGold Rates TodayJos ButtlerAsian GamesMohammad RizwanLamar OdomDonald TrumpPM Modi
NEW DELHI: Union minister and BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri said on Saturday that the party would either contest the upcoming Punjab assembly elections without an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) or seek an equal seat-sharing arrangement if the two parties join hands.“The earlier 22-seat formula will no longer work. The BJP will not play the role of a junior partner,” he told reporters in Amritsar, referring to the previous arrangement under which the BJP contested 22-23 of Punjab’s 117 Assembly seats, while the SAD contested the remaining seats.
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A meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal in August had sparked speculation that the two parties could renew their union. The SAD ended its alliance with the BJP in 2020 in protest against the Centre’s contentious farm laws, which were subsequently repealed.Meanwhile, Puri also asserted that the BJP would leave “no stone unturned” to eradicate the drug menace in Punjab. He said the BJP-led government at the Centre was working on a “war footing” to create employment opportunities for unemployed youth in the state.Taking aim at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Puri claimed that Punjab had reached a “bad situation” under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government, alleging “misrule” in the state.“People are feeling insecure. The police, whose job is to protect the public, are themselves feeling insecure,” the Union minister added.(With PTI inputs)
