Punjab BJP’s woes

ALL is not well with the Punjab BJP. Discontent within its ranks has been brewing for a while, and now things are coming to a head. State party president Sunil Jakhar’s unwillingness to stay at the helm has brought the fault lines out in the open. The former Congress stalwart has reportedly told PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah that there is a need to change the BJP’s and the Centre’s approach to issues concerning the state. Jakhar has sought prompt redressal of farmers’ grievances and a review of the contentious strategy to grant frequent parole to rape and murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim. Both are emotive subjects in Punjab — the state’s farmers were at the forefront of the year-long agitation against the three Central farm laws, while the Dera Sacha Sauda chief continues to be in the crosshairs of the Sikh community due to his alleged role in sacrilege and blasphemy cases.

The BJP, which was in power in the border state for two successive terms as a junior ally of the Shiromani Akali Dal, is struggling to regain ground. It has poached several Congress leaders in an attempt to bolster its state unit, but the ploy has not yielded substantial electoral dividends. The saffron party drew a blank in Punjab in this year’s Lok Sabha elections, though it did manage to improve its vote share. Having set its sights on the 2027 Assembly elections, the BJP cannot afford to let things drift. With farmers and Sikhs being key vote banks in the state, antagonising or ignoring them can be perilous.

Though the Centre eventually repealed the farm laws, Punjab’s farmers have not yet forgiven the BJP as well as PM Modi for the hardships they suffered during the historic stir. The trust deficit also stems from the Union Government’s apparent reluctance to legalise the MSP for all crops. Paying heed to Jakhar’s plea and doing course correction can make a difference.