New Delhi: Even as BJP continues to publicly assert that it is preparing to contest all 117 assembly seats in Punjab, the possibility of a pre-poll alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) remains very much alive.Sources said one round of discussions on seat-sharing has already taken place, with another round of meetings between BJP brass and the SAD leadership expected in the coming days. The negotiations are now likely to centre on three unresolved issues: Seat-sharing formula, identification of constituencies and the leadership arrangement.According to sources, one proposal under discussion gives SAD 70 seats and BJP 47. SAD leaders are of the view that the panthic party should be seen as the elder brother, keeping Punjab's sensitivities in mind. However, a section within BJP is pressing for a near-equal division, arguing that the party's improved electoral performance and organisational expansion warrant a larger share than in previous alliances.Also read: BSP to contest Punjab assembly polls alone, no alliance with any party: MayawatiThe second issue to be decided is which party contests which seats. While BJP, in alliance with SAD, used to contest 23 seats traditionally focused on urban areas, SAD mostly contested seats in rural Punjab.The third issue is the post-poll formula. While it is assumed that an alliance would project a SAD CM if it contests more seats, discussions are also taking place on the deputy CM's post. Sources said SAD would prefer Sukhbir Badal as the CM face, though sections within BJP are not convinced that formally projecting a CM candidate would be advantageous.The renewed talks are driven by electoral arithmetic. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, BJP secured 18.56% of the votes and led in 23 assembly segments, while SAD polled 13.42%. Together, they commanded about 32% of the vote. But it remains to be seen whether they can transfer their votes completely and attract additional votes if they form an alliance.