Akali Dal, Mayawati's BSP form alliance ahead of Punjab Assembly elections

• Shiromani Akali Dal formed an alliance with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party. The SAD-BSP tie-up comes ahead of the upcoming Punjab assembly elections. Announcement was made by BSP General Secretary Satish Mishra & SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. The decision was taken at SAD's core committee meeting which was held on Saturday. In the coalition set up, Mayawati-led BSP will contest the elections from 20 seats. SAD had pulled out of the BJP-led NDA in September last year over farm bills. SAD's Harsimrat Kaur Badal had also resigned from the post of union minister. In June, the SAD president had said his party was open for a pre-poll alliance. Badal had, however, mentioned parties other than Congress, BJP & AAP were welcome. The assembly elections in Punjab are scheduled to take place next year, in 2022.