In a significant development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has declared its decision to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls independently in Punjab. This announcement came amid speculations that its former ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), might also choose to go solo in the border state.
Sunil Jakhar, the chief of BJP’s Punjab unit, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to make the announcement via a video statement. He emphasized that the decision was made after consultations with party leaders, workers, and the general public. Jakhar asserted that contesting alone would be beneficial for all sections of society in Punjab, highlighting the contributions of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre to the state’s development.
Breaking: BJP will contest all 13 Lok Sabha Seats in Punjab alone. No alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal, says BJP President Sunil Jakhar. pic.twitter.com/1d7F6H7UPF
— Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) March 26, 2024
Punjab holds significant electoral importance with its 13 parliamentary seats. In the previous 2019 general elections, the BJP and SAD, as allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), secured four seats collectively, with each party winning two. However, the Congress emerged as the dominant force with victories in eight seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured one.
The rift between BJP and Akali Dal deepened in September 2020 when the latter decided to exit the NDA coalition. This decision was prompted by the central government’s introduction of controversial farm laws, which triggered widespread protests among farmers across north India. While Punjab farmers were at the forefront of the agitation, support poured in from neighboring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The contentious farm laws remained a focal point of protests until November 2021 when the government decided to repeal them, addressing a key demand of the protesting farmers. The prolonged agitation underscored the significance of agrarian issues in Punjab’s political landscape and highlighted the divergent stances of political parties on the matter.
With the BJP opting to contest independently in Punjab, the state’s political dynamics are set for a significant shift. The decision reflects the party’s confidence in its electoral prospects and signals a departure from its erstwhile alliance with the SAD. As the electoral campaign gains momentum, all eyes will be on how this move shapes the outcome of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Punjab.
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