In a significant move within Punjab's political landscape, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)–Punar Surjit and the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De (WPD) have officially formed an alliance aimed at consolidating 'panthic unity' ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. The decision, made on April 18 during a meeting in Jalandhar, seeks to unify various splinter factions of the Akali party. Manpreet Singh Ayali, a former SAD member, has been appointed as the convenor of the newly established 'Panthic Ekta Coordination Committee.' He emphasized that the alliance will contest elections based on a seat-sharing arrangement while retaining their individual party symbols. However, the alliance faces challenges, including internal divisions and limited electoral strength, as evidenced by the WPD's performance in the November 2025 bypoll, where it finished third. The alliance's ability to challenge the established leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal and the SAD remains uncertain, especially as they attempt to broaden their political reach by welcoming support from other groups. With less than a year until the elections, the success of this coalition hinges on its capacity to transform its unifying rhetoric into a cohesive organizational structure capable of competing against established political players in Punjab.