Political discourses on the eve of any major election are the same. Outwardly, most of the political outfits will shout from their rooftops their decision to go it alone, but inwardly they continue to negotiate with other like-minded parties for a possible alliance.

Finally, they would come out with a statement that to ensure success for their candidates, they have entered into a strategic or a common mini programme agreement with like-minded parties to either continue with their “people welfare schemes” or “oust the anti-people ruling party or alliance”.

If one looks at political developments during the past few weeks, things are moving exactly on the same lines as they were taking place in 2019 when the last general elections were held.

Punjab, for example, is an example in illustration. Traditional rivals – Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal – who ruled the State alternately since the reorganisation of the State in 1966, are still dismissive of forging alliances.

While Punjab Pradesh Congress Leadership was divided on falling in line with the national politics of putting up a united Opposition to the ruling NDA in the country, its national leadership has now changed stance saying, “we are capable of fighting it alone in Punjab”. This was probably a rejoinder to AAP, the ruling party in the State, that made it public through its convener Arvind Kejriwal, that it would contest all 13 seats in Punjab and the lone Chandigarh seat on its own.

Good enough. Each party should try its popularity base and know where it stands.

While the Shiromani Akali Dal that stands at its lowest popularity count in 57 years says that it would go to the 2024 polls with its alliance partner Bahujan Samaj Party, yet its leaders are also talking about a possible alliance with its old, trusted partner, BJP.

Incidentally, the reason the Akalis parted ways with the BJP were three Farm Bills that the BJP wanted to implement, the situation has come back full circle. Farmers are up in arms to revive their peaceful agitation to get a guaranteed MSP for their agricultural produce besides getting other pending demands conceded.

The BJP-led NDA government has again started dangling a carrot before the Farm leaders with a promise of setting up a committee of experts to investigate their demands genuinely.

With announcement of election dates around the corner, the situation is tricky for both the BJP and the SAD as farmers hold the key.

It is not going to be easy for AAP and Congress either. Afterall, the major vote bank in Punjab has farming background. Though farmers may stand clear of all political parties, yet their votes will have same or little more value than those of sworn party workers. Any takers!!!

(Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience of 14 years with Reuters News and 30 years with The Tribune Group, covering a wide spectrum of subjects and stories. He has covered Punjab and Sikh affairs for more than three decades besides covering seven Olympics and several major sporting events and hosting TV shows.)