Missing Akalis & BJP ‘3rd force’ in polls
In the backdrop of blame game between the BJP-ruled Centre and the AAP-led state government over tardy paddy procurement, an interesting political churning is taking place in the border state.
With Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) opting out, rebel Akali faction (Sudhar Lehar) keeping away and radicals stepping back after deciding to contest the bypolls, the BJP has “curiously” emerged as the third alternative in four Assembly segments — Gidderbaha, Barnala, Dera Baba Nanak and Chabbewal — where polling is scheduled for November 20.
Is it a mere conjecture that the Panthic parties or hardliners are missing from the political scene or is it part of a BJP-backed strategy to test the mood of the voters, who seldom opt for the Congress or AAP?
The BJP insiders said since the party wants to know where the Panthic vote bank drifts in the given situation, it has fielded turncoats having strong Akali background. Of the total four seats, Gidderbaha (Manpreet Badal), Dera Baba Nanak (Ravi Kahlon) and Chabbewal (Sohan Singh Thandal) are former Akalis.
The saffron party while testing its potential to go solo in the 2027 Assembly poll is also keeping other options open.
The reports of Sukhbir Badal-led Akali Dal supporting Manpreet Badal in Gidderbaha is being seen as the two former alliance partners, the BJP and SAD, still keeping coalition option open in future.
In the run-up to the 2027 Assembly elections, the saffron party is expected to make certain targeted moves to address the Panthic voters in the state, say people privy to the party’s strategy.
The Akalis decided not to contest the bypoll after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh “barred” SAD leader Sukhbir Badal from participating in any political activity, including campaigning for the party, following his declaration as “Tankhaiya”— guilty of religious misconduct. However, the party insiders say the senior leadership “recused” itself for the moment. Earlier, the Akali Dal had boycotted the 1992 Assembly elections.
A senior BJP leader from Punjab says that ahead of the 2027 Assembly poll, the party is devising a strategy to have more say in seat sharing with the alliance partner.
In the 2017 Vidhan Sabha elections, the saffron party had 23 seats and the Akalis had a major share of 94 seats.
It is also being pointed that though the BJP, which contested all 13 parliamentary constituencies, failed to win any seat, the party’s vote share went up from 9.63 per cent in 2019 to 18.56 per cent in 2024. On the other hand, 103-year-old Akali Dal is facing existential crisis after facing successive electoral setbacks. In 2022, the party could win just three seats. Recently, Banga MLA Dr Sukhwinder Sukhi had joined AAP and Dakha MLA Manpreet Ayali has been keeping away from the party activities. The third legislator is Ganieve Kaur Majithia, wife of senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha poll, SAD could retain just Bathinda, while 10 of the remaining 12 contenders lost their security deposits. The party had a vote share of 13.42 per cent, less than the BJP’s.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, who is said to be sulking over difference of opinion with the saffron party’s policies on Punjab and farmers, has been stating that Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, son of Indira Gandhi’s assassin Beant Singh, won due to a “vacuum” created by weak Akali Dal.
Smelling conspiracy in keeping the Akalis and radicals out of the bypolls, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa claims that the BJP was attempting a dangerous political cocktail in the state. “After bending farmers on their knees over paddy procurement, it has set its eyes on decimating Punjabis and gaining political control. As they did with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, it will eventually do the same with Akalis,” he said.
Political analysts point out that the BJP’s strategy in coming months could change the political landscape, giving it much-needed traction among the Sikhs.
