SAD backs women’s reservation, delimitation proposals after PM Modi-Sukhbir Badal meeting; BJP alliance buzz grows
PTC Web Desk: A day after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament, the SAD has backed two major constitutional measures being considered by the Centre, the Women’s Reservation Bill and the proposed delimitation exercise.
The announcement has added to speculation about a possible SAD-BJP alliance for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, although neither party has confirmed any electoral understanding.
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After a meeting with senior SAD leaders at his Chandigarh residence on Saturday, Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Women’s Reservation Bill should be implemented without further delay. He said women should receive their due representation in legislatures at the earliest.
Sukhbir Singh Badal said the SAD draws inspiration from the teachings of Sikh Gurus, which emphasise the dignity, equality and equal rights of women.
He also pointed to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), saying it had already set an example by providing reservation for women in its House.
The Akali Dal has also backed the Centre’s proposal for a uniform 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats for all states, instead of linking the delimitation exercise directly to the 2011 Census. He said both women’s reservation and delimitation should be implemented immediately.
SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the party had earlier opposed delimitation based on the 2011 Census. However, after discussions within the party, the leadership decided to support the proposal for a uniform expansion of Lok Sabha seats.
Cheema said the SAD wanted a fair system that ensures equal representation for all states.
The two proposals are expected to remain among the key political issues during the remaining part of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The Centre is seeking support for legislation that would provide 33% reservation for women in legislatures from 2029. The proposed delimitation exercise could also increase the strength of the Lok Sabha to 816 seats.
The delimitation proposal has faced opposition from several parties, particularly in southern India.
Opponents have argued that states such as Tamil Nadu could be disadvantaged because they successfully implemented population-control measures and therefore have slower population growth.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that the proposed exercise could weaken Tamil Nadu's representation in Parliament and urged political parties across the country to oppose it.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, meanwhile, has denied reports that a special Parliament session from August 16 to 18 was being considered to pass the two measures. Consultations with political parties are continuing during the ongoing session.
The SAD's support for the Centre's proposals has also intensified speculation about a possible political rapprochement between the BJP and Akali Dal in Punjab. Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on Friday, bringing the former allies back into the political spotlight.
The BJP and SAD had shared a 24-year-old alliance before parting ways in 2020 over the now-repealed farm laws.
Asked about the possibility of the two parties joining hands again, Daljit Singh Cheema said only that the two leaders had met.
Reacting to comments by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal about a possible BJP-SAD tie-up, Cheema said the remarks reflected the “fear of AAP”.
On whether an alliance was being discussed, Cheema said he would stick to the decisions taken by the party.
With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections approaching, political attention is likely to remain focused on whether the renewed engagement between the SAD and BJP develops into a formal electoral understanding.
- PTC NEWS
