After failed talks with Akali Dal, BJP decides to go it alone in Punjab
Chandigarh:
The BJP will contest alone in elections to 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, state party chief Sunil Jakhar said in a video message today, ending the BJP’s estrangement from it Speculations about possible alliance between allies Shiromani Akali Dal. sad).
“BJP will contest the Lok Sabha polls only in Punjab. The party has taken this decision based on feedback from people, party workers and leaders,” Jakhar said, stressing that Narendra Modi The government has worked tirelessly for Punjab and this work will not be hidden from anyone.
While the BJP has officially terminated its campaign, the Akali Dal broadly hinted at its plans to go it alone after a core committee meeting on Friday.
The main reason for the failure of the two parties to join forces seems to be a mismatch in core ideologies. The Akali Dal’s broad agenda of reaching out to Sikhs appears to be in conflict with the BJP’s nationalist posturing. Moreover, unlike 1996, when the Akali Dal joined hands with the BJP to forge an alliance that lasted for more than two decades, the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led party has set conditions for cooperation again.
The party resolution said the Center must fulfill its promise to release all Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences and fulfill all promises made to farmers.
“The party will continue to put principles before politics and never deviate from its historical role as the defender of the interests of Khalsa Pant, all minorities and all Punjabis,” the resolution said.
“As the sole representative of Sikhs and all Punjabis, the party will continue to fight for more powers and true autonomy for the states,” it added.
Increasing support for farmers protesting against the Centre, which prompted Akali Dal to quit the NDA in 2020, the resolution said Akali Dal would continue to defend the cause of farmers and farm workers. “SAD is the largest democratic organization representing farmers and has always been at the forefront of fighting for the interests of farmers,” the statement said.
It also opposed “any attempt to dilute the Constitution of India framed by Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar in letter or spirit”.
The Lok Sabha polls in Punjab are set to be a four-way contest as the BJP and the Akali Dal decide to go it alone. Indian allies the Congress Party and the Aam Aadmi Party earlier announced they would contest separately in Punjab, where they are on opposite political lines.
