Akali Dal likely to rejoin NDA ahead of Lok Sabha polls: Sources

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) may rejoin the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, due in April-May this year, sources said on Thursday.

According to sources, talks are being held between BJP and Akali Dal and a decision on the alliance may be taken soon.

Reports say that the BJP wants more seats to contest on in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, therefore, the alliance if happens will be based on a new formula.

In another development ahead of the crucial elections, talks are also taking place between BJP and Jayant Chaudhary of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RJD) for an alliance in Uttar Pradesh. However, nothing has been finalised now.

While talks



are taking place with Akali Dal and Jayant Chaudhary, NDA former ally Nitish Kumar has already rejoined the alliance.

Speaking to media on his return to the NDA, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said that now he will not go anywhere and was here (in NDA) to stay.  

As former NDA allies are looking to rejoin the alliance, all does not seem to be well in the Opposition's I.N.D.I.A bloc. Though seat-sharing talks are being held between its members, nothing has been finalised so far. 

Amid this, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared that her party TMC will go solo in the state and also questioned whether Congress will even manage to win 40 seats in the upcoming polls.