On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its decision to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls independently in Punjab. This declaration comes amidst indications from its former ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), hinting at a solo campaign in the border state. Sunil Jakhar, the BJP’s Punjab unit chief, conveyed this stance through a video on X (formerly Twitter). Jakhar emphasized that the decision was made after consultations with party leaders, workers, and the public. He asserted that the move would benefit all segments of society in Punjab, highlighting the purported developmental efforts of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre.
With its 13 parliamentary seats, Punjab witnessed the BJP and SAD, allies within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), securing four seats collectively in the 2019 general elections. The Congress clinched eight seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won one.
However, in September 2020, the Akali Dal exited the NDA following the central government’s introduction of contentious farm laws. These laws triggered widespread farmer protests across northern India, primarily in Punjab, but with participation from neighboring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The protests persisted until November 2021 when the farm laws were repealed, over a year after the demonstrations began on the outskirts of Delhi. The agitation reflected farmers’ concerns over the impact of the laws on their livelihoods and agricultural practices.
The BJP’s decision to go solo in Punjab underscores the evolving political landscape in the state, shaped by issues such as agricultural reforms and regional dynamics. With both the BJP and SAD charting independent courses, the upcoming electoral contest in Punjab is poised to witness a significant realignment of political alliances and strategies.
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