In a political landscape where the “lotus” blooms, the roots of the Congress are entwined deeply within. Punjab, often hailed as the heartland of political fervour, is witnessing a captivating saga where the “hands” that once upheld the Congress emblem are now raising the banner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fervent call for a “Congress-mukt Bharat” (Congress-free India), the BJP’s trajectory in Punjab tells a different story.

Consider this: The saffron brigade in Punjab is now led by a former Congress stalwart—the one who had led the Congress in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Out of the 12 candidates fielded by the BJP, four boast direct affiliations with the Congress, while two others carry a legacy from the grand old party. Adding to this mix, the party’s core group includes several former Congress leaders, with an ex-Congress leader heading the State’s women wing. But that's not all! Among the candidates fielded by the saffron party, only three bear the hallmark of traditional BJP membership.

Many BJP leaders in Punjab, though in murmurs, have expressed their dissatisfaction with what they see as the “Congressization” of their party. They believed that their years of hard work to build the party in Punjab have been overlooked, with several senior BJP leaders notably absent from the campaign trail.

The influx of Congress leaders to the BJP — which commenced prior to the 2022 state assembly elections and persists to the present day — prompted scrutiny of the leadership and organizational framework within the state party unit. These occurrences highlight specific shortcomings within the party's previous leadership and organizational structure, which over the years have struggled to adequately convey the party's policies to the public or establish a robust presence in the state.

The phenomenon prompted reflection on why the BJP, despite being the world’s largest political party, has struggled to establish a strong political base in Punjab for the past 72 years.

One possible explanation is that the BJP had never contested elections independently in Punjab before. Historically, the BJP had been part of the ruling coalition in Punjab, but always as a junior partner to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). However, the longstanding alliance between these two parties fractured when the BJP introduced contentious farm laws, which have now been repealed.

The need to import leaders from the Congress, who previously questioned the BJP’s policies, also raised eyebrows among grassroots workers, who feel their loyalty and dedication have been disregarded. Workers are dismayed that those, who have all along been criticizing the BJP, are now being rewarded with the positions, and party tickets. The trend has raised concerns about the BJP’s ability to attract voters in Punjab and called into question the party's grassroots organizational strength.

Arun Narang, the former MLA of Abohar, made a significant decision in July 2023 when he parted ways with the BJP. His departure was fueled by a poignant reason — the elevation of his former opponent, Sunil Jakhar, whom he had defeated in the 2017 assembly polls, to the position of Punjab BJP president.

Expressing his dismay, Narang had, at that time, remarked, “It’s disheartening to witness the individual I defeated in 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections ascend to such a prominent role within the party.”

Making it clear that he harboured no personal animosity towards Jakhar's affiliation with the BJP, Narang found it unsettling that the party seemed to disregard its longstanding members in favour of newcomers. Reflecting on his four-decade-long tenure with the party, Narang had stated, “After dedicating a significant portion of my life to this party, witnessing such disregard for loyalty made me reassess my allegiance. It became clear that this wasn't the recognition or respect I had hoped for.”

A senior BJP leader, who did not wish to be named, said: “BJP here is witnessing a remarkable surge in membership from diverse political backgrounds, be it Congress or Akali Dal. We embrace this inclusivity, but there are valid concerns about prioritizing individuals previously rejected by voters. Some leaders in the party question if this influx reflects a 'Congressisation' of the BJP, overshadowing the contributions of our longstanding workers. The recent trend of providing high-level security to former Congress members joining our ranks has raised eyebrows. Nevertheless, we remain committed to welcoming all who wish to join our party.”

Congressification of BJP

The lines between the Congress’ “hand” and the BJP's “lotus” seem to blur as the BJP undergoes what some perceive as a “Congressification” in the State.

At the forefront of this remarkable transformation stands a former Congress stalwart — Sunil Jakhar, now leading the BJP's charge in Punjab. A former Gurdaspur MP and former Abohar MLA, Jakhar had led the Congress party during the 2019 general elections when the grand old party won eight out of the total 13 seats in the State.

Of the 12 candidates fielded by the BJP, four bear direct connections to the Congress, serving as a potent reminder of the intricate ties that bind the two parties. Former Union Minister and four-time MP Preneet Kaur is seeking reelection on BJP ticket from Patiala, while two-time MP Ravneet Singh Bittu has been re-nominated by the BJP from Ludhiana. Congress’ former Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi also succeeded in bagging the BJP ticket from Firozpur — something which he could not achieve while being in Congress. And for the crucial seat of Sangrur — the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s bastion, BJP has laid its bet on Congress’ former MLA Arvind Khanna.

Furthermore, two other candidates — Sushil Kumar Rinku from Jalandhar, and Hans Raj Hans from Faridkot — also boast a history of association with the grand old party, lending credence to the notion of a Congress-yukt BJP taking shape in the State.

Starting his political journey with the Congress’ NSUI wing, Rinku won his first election from Jalandhar west assembly segment in 2017. However, he left the Congress and joined the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to win the Jalandhar bypolls in 2023. In a surprising over, Rinku shifted loyalties to BJP in March this year, days after the AAP declared him as its candidate from Jalandhar.

Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans, who is currently the BJP MP from Delhi West, was a member of Congress party from 2014 to 2016. He had started his political journey with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in 2009.

Delving deeper into the BJP’s inner circle unveiled a tapestry woven with threads of Congress heritage. The party's core group features several former Congress leaders — right from former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Rana Sodhi, Kewal Singh Dhillon, Arvind Khanna, Fatehjang Singh Bajwa, Harjot Kamal, Daaman Thind Bajwa, among others — who have seamlessly transitioned into their new political home, bringing with them a wealth of experience and expertise.

But the crossover doesn't end there. Leading the charge for women empowerment within the BJP is another former Congress leader — Jai Inder Kaur, the daughter of Capt Amrinder and Preneet Kaur — who is heading the party’s state women’s wing.

BOX: CONG LEADERS IN BJP