Image Source: Jagran
The alliance talks between the BJP and SAD which were going on in Punjab for quite a long time failed. Even after Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement hinting at a potential alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for the upcoming parliamentary elections, the political landscape in Punjab has witnessed significant shifts. Contrary to expectations, BJP state chief Sunil Jakhar recently declared that the party will pursue independent electoral campaigns in Punjab, marking a departure from its historical alliance with the SAD.
Scheduled for June 1st, the polling for Punjab’s 13 Lok Sabha seats has garnered attention amidst evolving political dynamics. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has unveiled candidates for eight seats, other parties in the state have yet to announce their contenders. The decision by the BJP to contest solo underscores a strategic reevaluation of its electoral approach, particularly in light of the shifting alliances and political currents.
For over two decades, the BJP’s electoral strategy in Punjab revolved around its alliance with the SAD, a partnership initiated in 1997 and terminated in 2021 amid the farmers’ agitation against the central farm laws. Historically, the BJP’s electoral presence was primarily concentrated in select constituencies, with its influence largely dependent on the SAD’s rural stronghold. However, following the dissolution of the alliance, the BJP has embarked on a quest to consolidate its position by courting leaders from rival factions and expanding its outreach in rural areas.
The BJP’s electoral performance in Punjab has been a subject of scrutiny, with its vote share averaging at 10 percent during Lok Sabha elections conducted in alliance with the SAD. However, in the 2022 assembly elections, where the BJP contested without the SAD, its vote share marginally increased to 6.6 percent from 5.39 percent in 2017. This deviation from the traditional alliance model reflects the BJP’s strategic recalibration and its ambition to assert an independent electoral identity in the state.
The historical trajectory of the SAD-BJP alliance underscores the intricacies of Punjab’s political landscape. From 2007 to 2017, the alliance enjoyed two consecutive terms in power, with the SAD’s vote share peaking at 34.73 percent in 2012, alongside the BJP’s modest share of over 7 percent. However, electoral fortunes witnessed a downturn in 2017, as the SAD’s vote share plummeted to 25.24 percent, accompanied by a decline in the BJP’s share to 5.4 percent, paving the way for the Congress to ascend to power with a 38.5 percent vote share.
The evolving dynamics in Punjab’s political arena underscore the nuanced interplay of alliances, electoral strategies, and shifting voter preferences.
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BJP hopeful to gain grounds in Punjab
The political landscape in Punjab witnessed a seismic shift as Sushil Kumar Rinku, the sole Lok Sabha representative of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Sheetal Angural, the MLA from Jalandhar West, crossed the aisle to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move dealt a significant blow to the ruling party in Punjab, especially considering that Rinku had been named as AAP’s candidate for the Jalandhar constituency. The defections came in the wake of the Saffron’s party announcement that it would contest all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab independently and its welcoming of three-time Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu into its fold just a day prior.
The political landscape in Punjab has been marked by a flurry of shifting alliances, with notable defections from the Congress to AAP, including MLA Raj Kumar Chabbewal and former MLA Gurpreet Singh GP, both eyeing a shot at the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The recent entry of Ravneet Bittu, a prominent Congress MP, into the BJP further underscores the fluidity of Punjab’s political scenario. Even Patiala MP Preneet Kaur, the wife of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, crossed party lines to join the BJP, adding another layer of complexity to the political dynamics in the state.
With Punjab poised for a four-cornered electoral battle, more defections and party switches are anticipated in the lead-up to the polls. Sushil Kumar Rinku, in his statement upon joining the saffron party, lamented that the promises made during the assembly elections remained unfulfilled due to lack of support from the Punjab government. He expressed his willingness to contest from Jalandhar under the BJP’s banner, indicating a readiness to embrace the new political alignment.
As parties realign and recalibrate their strategies, the political landscape in Punjab remains fluid and unpredictable. The coming months are likely to witness further twists and turns as parties vie for supremacy in what promises to be a fiercely contested electoral battleground.
