Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) decision to axe its ties with its 24-year-old alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the issue of farm bills has virtually left the field open for all political parties in Punjab in the run up to the 2022 Assembly polls. In fact, the cutting of relationship cords between the Akali Dal and the saffron party is expected to plant the seeds for a new political and electoral ecosystem in the State.

The political observers had, at the time, predicted that the echo of SAD’s action may eventually be heard in Punjab. The two alliance partners had differences of opinion on several issues, but, over the past few months, the gulf between the two was only increasing.

The saffron party, enjoying a significant majority at the national level, has all along been asserting itself, overlooking several demands and dissents of Akali Dal on a number of issues.

The seeds of discontentment were sown earlier this year when the decades old alliance between the two parties ended up in the national capital with the Akalis virtually severing their ties with the saffron brigade on the issue of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)-National Register of Citizens (NRC) ahead of Delhi assembly polls citing ideological differences. But, it was actually the BJP that virtually “abandoned” SAD and did not take it on board for Delhi polls in February.

Before that, in Haryana, BJP chose to join hands with the new entrant Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) while dropping the Akali Dal ahead 2019 polls.

The two parties together contested six assembly and five Lok Sabha elections since 1996, and ruling Punjab for 15 years, including a historic decade long rule from 2007 to 2017 — something that has happened for the first time in Punjab.

Now with the break-up, a vast transformation is expected in the state’s political field — the Akalis, by projecting themselves as a martyr, set to gain from the move; BJP expected to suffer in the agrarian state of Punjab with election being fought on farmers’ issue; Congress — which is already under criticism for non fulfillment of its promises — may find itself struggling to fight the image of a martyr which the SAD will try to built for itself in the state; and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) trying to make place for itself.

That is not all! The role of factional groups, new political outfits and disgruntled leaders are also expected to bring a major shift in the state’s politics ahead of the 2022 elections.

In the state, mainly represented by the agriculturists, the issue of farm bills is set to dominate in the next polls, as all the political parties have already giving enough indications for the same. And with the BJP’s ‘anti-farmer’ image, coupled with increasing criticism on several issues, over a period of time, the road to power would not be a cakewalk for the saffron party.

Even as the party leaders are seeing the breakup as a ‘silver lining’, expanding its base in the agriculture and rural dominated state and a chief ministerial face would be major challenges for the party.

For the saffron brigade, a hunt for a new face would begin. Besides, the party may also not be averse to the idea of inducting the former MP Navjot Singh Sidhu back into the party fold to catapult to power by riding on his popularity.

For Akali Dal, snapping of ties was the best move it can think of at this time. If not, the party would have lost a major chunk of voters which it has not only kept intact, but may also win over those who have shifted to other parties.

Contesting the elections in 2022 with BJP as an alliance partner would not have been a runaway for SAD, also taking into account the economic condition in the country in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis.

Moreover, the SAD’s image had reached a nadir in the state, facing the allegations of drugs and sacrilege. And to resurrect the party from its ashes, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal needed a game-changer move.

Notably, several senior party leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, his MLA son Parminder Singh Dhindsa, former MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, among others had parted ways with the SAD, causing its brick by brick disintegration. The party wanted a new vigour, a new mission, a plank to fight, and by sacrificing not only the Ministerial berth but also breaking ties with the party in power for the sake of farmers, SAD is set to gain.