Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal met Balbir Rajewal: Closed-door meeting at farmer leader's house

New news has emerged that has shocked Punjab politics. Shiromani Akali Dal President and former Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal unexpectedly arrived at the home of farmer leader Balbir Rajewal on Friday. They held a closed-door meeting there. Former minister Sikander Singh Maluka was also present.

This meeting is being interpreted as having several political implications, as farmer leaders are upset with the current AAP government's attitude. CM Bhagwant Mann has repeatedly raised questions about farmers' road blockades. Furthermore, the Punjab Police forcibly removed the farmers' protest at the Shambhu border.

What did the two leaders say after the meeting...

Sukhbir said, "I came to inquire about your health." Speaking to the media after the meeting, Sukhbir Badal said that he had come to inquire about Balbir Singh Rajewal's health. Rajewal had a close relationship with his father, Prakash Singh Badal. Whenever he needed advice on agriculture or Punjab, his father, Prakash Singh Badal, would consult with him. I also came to discuss farming and how it can be made a profitable business and how Punjab can be saved. Sukhbir said that Rajewal is a treasure trove of agricultural knowledge and I came to learn from him. No political discussion took place.

Rajewal said, "Discussion was made about the splitting of a separate Akali Dal and the formation of a new one."
Farmer leader Balbir Rajewal said that this was a personal meeting. During the split of Punjab's regional party, the Akali Dal, and the formation of a separate Akali Dal, I did suggest that the two parties should unite in some way. Beyond this, no political discussion took place in this meeting.

Akali Dal on the margins of politics for 10 years
The Akali Dal's intention behind this meeting is believed to be to regain its foothold in the villages through farmers. The Akali Dal formed the government in Punjab for two consecutive terms from 2007 to 2017. However, during this period, it was in alliance with the BJP. However, this alliance has now broken. Since then, the Akali Dal has been increasingly marginalized in Punjab politics. Punjab's rural communities remain angry with the Akali Dal over the desecration of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the firing incident in the state.

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Rajewal was a leader of the farmers' movement and contested elections.

Balbir Rajewal also led the farmers' movement on the Delhi border in 2020-21. He subsequently formed a party called the Samyukta Samaj Morcha and contested all 117 seats in the 2022 elections, with Rajewal as its CM face. However, his party failed to win a single seat.