Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has thrown the party’s support behind two major constitutional proposals currently under discussion in Parliament — the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Centre’s proposed delimitation plan.

The announcement came a day after Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reviving speculation about whether the SAD and BJP could once again join hands ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

Following a meeting with senior SAD leaders at his Chandigarh residence on Saturday, Badal said the party wanted the proposed reservation for women to be implemented without further delay.

He said greater representation for women in legislatures was consistent with the principles of equality and dignity associated with Sikh teachings. Badal also pointed to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's existing provision for women's representation as an example.

SAD CHANGES POSITION ON DELIMITATION

The SAD also backed the Centre's proposal to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent uniformly across states rather than basing the exercise solely on population figures from the 2011 Census.

SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the party had previously raised objections to delimitation based on the 2011 population data. However, after discussions within the party, it decided to support the proposed uniform expansion of parliamentary seats.

The party, he said, wants an arrangement that protects fairness and ensures that states receive equitable representation.

DELIMITATION SPARKS POLITICAL BATTLE

The issue has emerged as one of the major political flashpoints in Parliament, particularly because several southern states fear that a population-based exercise could reduce their relative influence after decades of successful population-control measures.

The Centre is considering legislation that could provide 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 while also substantially increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, have criticised the proposed delimitation approach. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has argued that the exercise could weaken Tamil Nadu's political voice.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has also dismissed reports of a proposed special session between August 16 and 18 to take up the two measures, while discussions with political parties continue during the Monsoon Session.

BADAL-MODI MEETING FUELS ALLIANCE SPECULATION

Badal's latest position has added another layer to speculation about a possible political rapprochement between the SAD and BJP.

The two parties were allies for nearly 24 years before their relationship ended in 2020 amid disagreements over the now-repealed farm laws.

Badal's meeting with Modi on Friday brought the possibility of renewed cooperation back into political discussion in Punjab.

Cheema declined to confirm whether an alliance was being considered, saying only that the two leaders had met and that the party would stand by the decisions announced after Saturday's meeting.

Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon, meanwhile, played down the significance of the Modi-Badal interaction, saying the Prime Minister meets political leaders and refusing to speculate about an electoral arrangement.

With the Punjab Assembly election approaching, the SAD's latest stance has nevertheless intensified interest in whether its renewed engagement with the BJP could eventually develop into a formal alliance.