It could be the first visible sign of a political rapprochement between two parties whose alliance once seemed almost permanent. For the BJP, an alliance with SAD could provide what it still lacks: deeper rural penetration and a traditional Sikh political network. That creates a peculiar possibility: SAD and BJP may discover that their interests are once again complementary. Recent reports indicate that the BJP is preparing to contest the 2027 Punjab election independently, even as speculation about an SAD reunion continues. Six years ago, the Akalis left the BJP because standing with Modi had become politically toxic in Punjab.