Chandigarh: In a video messagetoday, state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar confirmed that the BJP will contest the election for Punjab's 13 Lok Sabha seats independently, ending speculation about a potential alliance with its estranged ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
"Based on feedback from the people, party workers, and leaders, the BJP has decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab alone. The relentless efforts of the Narendra Modi government for Punjab are evident to all," Jakhar stated emphatically.
While the BJP has officially made this decision, the Akali Dal had already hinted at going solo after a meeting of its core committee last Friday.
Mismatch in their core ideological planks
The primary reason for the two parties not forming an alliance seems to be a misalignment in their core ideological stances. The Akali Dal's focus on panthic issues, particularly concerning Sikhs, appears at odds with the BJP's nationalist stance.
Additionally, unlike in 1996 when the Akali Dal allied with the BJP for over two decades, this time the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD has set conditions for any potential partnership.
The party's resolution emphasized the need for the Centre to fulfill its promises to release Sikh prisoners and address farmer concerns.
"As the sole representatives of Sikhs and all Punjabis, the party will continue its struggle for greater state autonomy," the resolution affirmed.
Reiterating its support for farmers, which led to its exit from the NDA in 2020, the Akali Dal vowed to champion farmers' rights. It also stood against any attempts to undermine the Indian Constitution as framed by Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar.
With both the BJP and the Akali Dal opting for independent contests, the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab are poised for a four-way contest. Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, traditional rivals in Punjab politics, have already declared their intentions to contest separately.
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