- BJP plans alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal for Punjab assembly elections early next year
- BJP aims to highlight AAP's alleged corruption and governance failures in Punjab
- BJP to focus on employment, health, education and community issues in campaign
Buoyed by its victory in West Bengal, the BJP has decided to throw its full weight into Punjab, another state ruled by the Opposition. According to sources, the BJP will contest the assembly elections scheduled early next year in alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal. One round of talks on the alliance has already ended. A second round of discussions is expected soon, focusing on the number of seats and the specific constituencies to be contested.
BJP leaders believe this alliance holds the potential for political gain for both parties and would also strengthen cooperation between them. They assess that a joint effort would increase their chances of victory in the state's four-way electoral contest. To achieve this, however, they will need to expand their support base.
They cite data from the last Lok Sabha election, when the BJP and the Akali Dal contested separately. Although the BJP didn't win any of the state's 13 Lok Sabha seats, it won 18.56 per cent of the vote. Meanwhile, the Akali Dal got 13.42 per cent of the vote and won one seat. Combined, the two parties commanded approximately 32 per cent of the vote. With the addition of some extra votes, this alliance could pose a hard challenge to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which, according to BJP leaders, is facing an anti-incumbency wave.
In contrast, during the previous assembly elections, the Akali Dal won only 3 out of 117 seats with 18.38 per cent of the vote, while the BJP secured just 6.60 per cent of the vote and won two seats. Essentially, the BJP had nearly tripled its vote share in the Lok Sabha elections compared to the assembly elections. Consequently, if the Punjab alliance materialises, the BJP is expected to contest a larger number of seats than it did previously.
During the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP led in 23 assembly segments, while the Akali Dal led in 9. Similarly, the BJP finished second in approximately 17 assembly segments and the Akali Dal got runners-up position in 14. The BJP lost 5 seats by margins of less than 5,000 votes and ten seats by margins of less than 10,000 votes. Thus, the BJP demonstrated a strong position on its own across 38 assembly seats in the state.
It is estimated that if the two parties contest together, they could achieve an even stronger position. Notably, the two parties maintained an alliance from 1996 to 2020. This alliance secured a landslide victory in 1997, with the Akali Dal winning 75 seats and the BJP winning 18. The alliance also won in 2007, securing 49 seats for the Akali Dal and 19 for the BJP. History was made in 2012 when they won for a second consecutive term; the Akali Dal won 56 seats and the BJP won 12. Given this background, the alliance appears formidable on paper once again.
BJP's Strategy
The BJP is entering the electoral fight by making serious allegations against the AAP government regarding corruption, governance failures and reneging on promises. Additionally, the party will highlight financial assistance and schemes provided to Punjab by the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP may unveil a comprehensive vision document featuring an employment-centric model and measures to restore Panthic (Sikh community-related) and social trust for the state's future.
According to the BJP, the APP - which came to power promising to fight corruption - has failed to do so. Last year, 144 government officials were arrested in corruption cases, while 43 Punjab police personnel were caught in bribery traps. Cabinet Minister Vijay Singla had to be dismissed due to corruption allegations, and the Vigilance Bureau conducted raids on MLA Raman Arora in connection with a corruption case. Furthermore, it is alleged that the senior leadership based in Delhi is controlling Punjab's government operations and extracting undue benefits from contractors.
The BJP has accused the state government of failing in the sectors of health, education and social justice. According to the BJP, the dropout rate at the primary level in Punjab has been recorded at 2.5 per cent, which is significantly higher than the national average (0.3 per cent). Only 52.5 per cent of Punjab's 3,699 health centers meet the 'Indian Public Health Standards.' Merely 4.3 per cent of district hospitals and 4.9 per cent of Community Health Centres (CHCs) fulfill the prescribed national quality standards. Among Primary Health Centers (PHCs), only 15.7% meet the standards. Despite the promotion of the 'education model,' teacher vacancies in government schools stand at 60 per cent.
A promise was made to establish 16 medical colleges in the state, yet not a single one has been set up.
According to the BJP, the central government has provided substantial financial support to Punjab. Under PM-KISAN, financial assistance amounting to Rs 7,596.84 crore was provided to 18 lakh farmer beneficiaries. Funds totaling Rs 8,144.11 crore was allocated for rural development and the generation of 8.14 lakh person-days of work under MGNREGA. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Rs 1,722.68 crore was provided for the construction of 65,370.51 km of rural roads and 415 bridges. A sum of Rs 359.56 crore was allocated for the construction of individual and community toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, 32 lakh households were provided with tap water connections. Under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, 816 'Amrit Sarovars' (water bodies) were developed as part of a rejuvenation initiative. Additionally, the central government provided support for railway and airport projects.
The BJP is also considering various election promises. The party is deliberating on plans to shift Punjab's economy away from 'freebies' and towards employment and wealth creation. Financial assistance could be provided to women and medical colleges would be set up.
So, while on one hand an attempt will be made to expose the government's claims, on the other, a strategy has been devised to present an alternative political model that addresses Punjab's economy, health, education and Panthic concerns.
