Following inconclusive discussions with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declared its decision to contest independently in all 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Punjab scheduled for June 1.
Sunil Jakhar, the Punjab BJP President, affirmed that the BJP had opted to participate in the state elections on its own. He emphasized that this choice stemmed from extensive deliberations with the populace, party officials, and grassroots supporters.
The decision, Jakhar noted, was geared towards fostering a prosperous future for Punjab's youth, farmers, traders, and marginalized communities. He underscored the developmental endeavors initiated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stewardship, asserting that Punjab's farmers had consistently received equitable minimum support prices (MSP) for their produce, promptly credited to their bank accounts within a week.
Jakhar asserted, "This decision is in the best interest of Punjab, a border state, ensuring its safety and security. I am confident that the people will rally behind the BJP in the upcoming June 1 election."
The termination of the alliance, spanning over two decades, was instigated by the Shiromani Akali Dal's withdrawal from the National Democratic Alliance in September 2020. The rift stemmed from profound discord over the now-repealed three contentious farm laws.
Formerly a stalwart ally, the SAD had been among the earliest supporters of the 13-day Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1996. In a bid to rejuvenate the party and stem the tide of defections, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, formerly regarded as the 'Super Chief Minister' during the party's tenure, is actively engaged in reinvigorating its ranks.
Meanwhile, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Sukhbir's wife and former Minister of Food Processing Industry in the Modi-led administrations, is championing state-specific issues in Parliament.
The duo secured victories in the parliamentary elections of 2019.
In a recent meeting of its core committee, the Shiromani Akali Dal hinted at the possibility of contesting the Lok Sabha polls independently. The resolution underscored the party's prioritization of principles over politics, indicating a resolution of Punjab's and Sikhs' concerns as a prerequisite for any alliance with the BJP. It signaled that forging an alliance at this juncture was unlikely.
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