BJP’s Punjab Campaign Sans SAD; Modi Courts Sikh Votes
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is forging ahead with its campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, despite the absence of its former ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which exited the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the scrapped farm laws. Pinning its hopes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurances, the BJP aims to secure several of Punjab’s 13 seats.
During his recent visit to the state, Modi emphasized Punjab and the Sikh community’s historical contributions to nation-building. He lamented the prolonged unavailability of direct access to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, suggesting that had he been in power in 1971, he would have negotiated its return in exchange for prisoners of war. The BJP lauds the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, offering visa-free access to Guru Nanak’s final resting place, as one of its significant achievements.
Meanwhile, the BJP is leveraging recent events in Delhi, such as the scrapped excise policy and the arrest of senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, to challenge Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s anti-corruption stance. The allegations, including assault accusations against Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar, are clouding the AAP’s election campaign, potentially aiding the BJP’s efforts to dislodge the party from power in Delhi.
Union Minister Smriti Irani and BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi have criticized Kejriwal’s handling of the situation, amplifying doubts about the AAP’s credibility. A BJP leader said Maliwal’s allegations will be harder to explain. “If there was the slightest chance that the party would gain sympathy for Kejriwal going to jail, the Maliwal’s accusations will ensure there is no public support,” said the leader requesting anonymity.
