Setting the stage for a four-cornered contest in Punjab, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday made a significant announcement, declaring its decision to contest all 13 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections independently. The move effectively put to rest all speculations surrounding the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)’s potential return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), signaling a clear divergence in electoral strategies.
According to sources familiar with the matter, BJP national president JP Nadda engaged in a last-minute conversation with SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday night, making a final attempt to forge an alliance. However, negotiations faltered as the Akalis insisted on addressing specific demands, including the relocation of Sikh prisoners such as Amritpal Singh from Assam to Punjab, citing difficulties faced by their families in meeting them.
The primary factor driving the decision for the two parties not to form an alliance seems to stem from disparities in their core ideological principles. SAD’s focus on panthic issues and its efforts to connect with the Sikh community appear incongruent with BJP's nationalist stance. Additionally, unlike the alliance formed in 1996, which endured for over two decades, the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Akali Dal has laid out specific conditions for any potential future collaboration, which does not suit BJP’s national agenda.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, in a video message he shared on the social media, affirmed the party's decision to contest solo in Punjab, emphasizing that the move was guided by a collective vision for the region’s future. “The party would not forge any alliance in Punjab,” he said.
Jakhar highlighted BJP’s track record under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, particularly its efforts in areas like the Kartarpur corridor and grain procurement from farmers, underscoring the party’s commitment to public welfare.
Akali Dal, after its core committee meeting this Friday, had strongly indicated its intention to contest independently in the upcoming elections. Notably, SAD was BJP’s oldest ally and first one to support Narendra Modi’s candidature as a prime ministerial candidate.
The breakdown in talks between BJP and SAD occurred primarily due to the former’s inability to meet SAD’s demands unconditionally. SAD’s requisites included the withdrawal of cases against farmers involved in protests against the agricultural reform laws, along with legal guarantee on minimum support prices (MSP) for various crops.
Reacting to the development, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal reiterated the party's steadfast commitment to its principles and vision for Punjab. He emphasized that SAD prioritizes principles over politics, positioning itself as a movement dedicated to Punjab and the Khalsa Panth. He stressed that while other parties prioritize vote politics, “SAD remains focused on putting Punjab's interests first”.
Meanwhile, amidst the evolving political landscape, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress are also gearing up for the electoral battle in Punjab, albeit separately, despite being members of the pan-India opposition bloc — Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Notably, both AAP and Congress are contesting in coalition in neighboring states like Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Gujarat.
Now as the BJP throws its hat into the ring for all 13 seats, the battleground for the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab is shaping up for a fierce contest. The failure of alliance talks underscored the divergent priorities between the two parties, while highlighting the evolving political landscape in Punjab. Traditionally, SAD’s political stronghold has revolved around Sikh panth and agrarian interests. However, recent setbacks, including the erosion of its core base in the 2017 and 2022 assembly polls and the fallout from the farm bills passed by its alliance partner BJP in 2020, have reshaped the state's political dynamics.
SAD has found itself in an existential quandary following its performance in 2022 state assembly elections, where it could only secure three seats while the BJP won just one. The fallout from the farmers’ agitation took a toll on SAD’s traditional support base among farmers and Sikh voters, prompting a reassessment of its strategy.
The BJP's decision to contest independently mirrored its strategy in Haryana, where it severed ties with Dushyant Chautala’s Jannayak Janata Party (JJP). By doing so, the BJP aimed to focus on consolidating Punjabi and OBC votes, previously overshadowed by SAD’s dominance.
In a similar vein, with SAD contesting separately, it will vie for Sikh voters, especially Jat Sikhs and farmers, who are also being courted by the AAP and Congress.
BJP’s move to contest alone signaled its ambition to emerge from SAD’s shadow and expand its electoral footprint in the state. Recent electoral contests have shown promising signs for the BJP, with increased visibility in rural areas and direct voter engagement. In the 2023 Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll, all major parties contested independently. Despite AAP’s victory, BJP garnered a notable 15 percent votes, closely trailing SAD’s 17 percent — an outcome that sparked elation among BJP leaders, as it marked a significant shift. “For the first time, party flags were prominently displayed in rural areas which shows BJP’s growing presence there, and shows that the party was able to directly engage with the voters without the need for assistance from SAD,” said a senior BJJP leader.
Also, BJP’s outreach efforts towards the Sikh community, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have strengthened its position. Initiatives like Veer Bal Diwas, Kartarpur Corridor, doing away with the black list, celebrating the birth anniversaries of Sikh Gurus, among others have resonated positively among Sikhs, bolstering BJP’s appeal.
As the political landscape shifts in Punjab, the breakup of the BJP-SAD alliance raises concerns of polarization. However, the BJP’s strategic maneuvers aimed at consolidating its Sikh base independently, challenging traditional electoral dynamics.
The implications of the failed alliance talks are significant. With each party pursuing its own agenda, the electoral space in Punjab is expected to become more crowded. While AAP and Congress aim to capitalize on the division of votes, the SAD hopes to regain its lost ground and challenge the AAP government. Conversely, the BJP, buoyed by Modi's popularity, seeks to leverage its national appeal to secure urban support.
In surprising move, Cong MP Bittu joins BJP
Punjab’s political arena reverberated with yet another seismic tremor as Congress Lok Sabha sitting MP from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday made a surprising leap across the party lines to join the BJP. Bittu’s unexpected defection marked another significant setback for the Congress party in Punjab, following a string of high-profile exits including former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, his sitting MP wife Preneet Kaur, Sunil Jakhar, Manpreet Badal, among others.
Bittu’s move dealt a substantial blow to the Congress, further exacerbating the party’s existing challenges in Punjab. His decision to switch camps comes on the heels of his earlier calls for action against former Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, citing internal discord within the party as a major contributing factor to its defeat in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.
Three-time MP, Bittu is the latest in a string of prominent Congress leaders to jump ship, and the party's second sitting MP after Preneet, the Patiala MP.
Expressing his disillusionment with the Congress leadership, Bittu highlighted the party’s internal discord as a major factor contributing to its defeat in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. His criticism extended to the Congress’ alliance with AAP, which he opposed vehemently, citing divergent ideologies and alleged misconduct by AAP.
Bittu’s political lineage added weight to his defection, being the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, whose legacy is deeply entrenched in the state’s political history. His decision to join the BJP underscored a significant realignment of political affiliations in the State.
Bittu, speaking at a press conference in New Delhi after joining the BJP, expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, praising their commitment to Punjab’s development. He lauded the BJP’s efforts in fostering peace and stability in the region, particularly in light of Punjab’s tumultuous history with terrorism.
The development assumes significance as it comes the same day the BJP announced to go solo in Punjab, setting the stage for Bittu to seek re-election as BJP candidate this time.
