In three states, BJP’s spectacular victory has infused enthusiasm into Punjab’s BJP, while leaving Congress and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) deeply concerned. Punjab’s BJP is now brimming with hopes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, initiating strategizing efforts.
The first step by the BJP is to disseminate the policies of the Modi government to every household in the state and bolster ‘Mission Punjab’ under the Prime Minister’s assurance. However, despite Punjab BJP gearing up to contest the Lok Sabha elections on its own strength, connecting with the state’s farmers is proving challenging due to their discontent with BJP. The unfulfilled promises from the Centre regarding the three agricultural laws and subsequent farmer protests have left Punjab’s farmers disgruntled.
While in three states, the role of RSS senior campaigners was pivotal in BJP’s victory, the Sikh community in Punjab has been a tougher audience for RSS. These challenges pose significant hurdles for BJP’s ‘Mission Punjab’, although the party is also making efforts to bring together the marginalized and OBC communities in the state.
On the other hand, the elections in four states have dealt a severe blow to both Congress and AAP. Despite AAP’s robust campaigns led by Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, they failed to secure even a single percentage point of votes in the three states lost by Congress. Apart from Rajasthan, the public outrightly rejected AAP in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. These outcomes have raised questions about the alliance between Congress and AAP in the ‘India’ coalition.
Meanwhile, the image of the 20-month-old AAP government in Punjab has been tarnished. The performance seen in the three states indicates that AAP hasn’t caused any damage to Congress but is left with no alternative under the ‘India’ banner for seat sharing apart from vying for a share with BJP and Akali Dal separately in Punjab.
The tables have turned for AAP: Jakhar
Sunil Jakhar, Chief of Punjab BJP, stated on Monday that the election results in four states have proven that people across the nation have become aware of AAP’s false assurances and now know that this party attained power in Punjab by deceit. The tide has turned for AAP, and Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann should understand this. The actions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are being applauded nationwide. The people of Punjab, too, will now make their next move after thoughtful consideration.
