SAD-BJP alliance weathered many a storm unscathed — until now

The BJP had been part of post-poll alliances with governments led by Akalis in Punjab four times, from 1967 to 1980. (File)

WHILE THE farm Bills issue finally led to the BJP losing its oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), this is not the first time that the two parties have had differences. Despite these, the alliance, which has seen several highs and lows, remained intact, until now.

The Akalis first joined hands with the Jan Sangh (the BJP’s predecessor) in 1967. They parties stitched together a pre-poll alliance for the 1997 Punjab Assembly elections, which continued till 2019 parliamentary polls. The BJP had been part of…