BJP pitches for ‘double-engine govt’ as bypoll enters final lap

As campaigning for the high-stakes Ludhiana West bypoll enters its final leg, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is going all out with its central campaign theme — the “Double-engine government’. For the party, the byelection is not only about winning the Assembly seat but about planting a political flag in the state’s urban heartland, projecting the constituency as a crucial link between the Narendra Modi-led Centre and a future BJP-led state government in Punjab.

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Several BJP leaders have been visiting Ludhiana West, turning the constituency into a key battleground for their governance pitch. The central message resonates throughout the campaign: Punjab’s development can accelerate only if its leadership aligns politically with the Centre.

“Punjab needs a double engine to move forward. One engine is already running powerfully in Delhi under Narendra Modi. The second engine — in Punjab — is what we are seeking through the bypoll,” said BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh while addressing a rally.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani drew a comparison between Punjab’s economic decline and Gujarat’s industrial growth, asserting that the BJP’s “double engine” governance model could revive Ludhiana’s industrial legacy. He emphasised that proper GST implementation and restored law-and-order could breathe new life into the city’s once-thriving economy.

Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, leading the campaign with a personal stake in the outcome, stressed the value of electing a BJP MLA. “By electing a BJP MLA from here, you will get the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and chief ministers of other BJP states. We will bring all of them here to resolve your issues,” he said, highlighting how direct access to the Centre can unlock long-pending solutions.

The BJP has put forward central development projects as examples of effective governance, including the Ludhiana railway station redevelopment, the PGI satellite centre in Ferozepur and AIIMS in Bathinda. “Has the state government brought you AIIMS, Bathinda? Has it built your airport? No, these are Modi’s gifts. Ludhiana needs a BJP MLA so that all central schemes reach you without delay,” said former Punjab BJP president Shwait Malik.

The campaign has also drawn comparisons with BJP-ruled states such as Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Party leaders are pointing to these states as models of effective development under the “double engine” system, suggesting that similar results can be achieved in Punjab if the state collaborates politically with the Centre.

Political observers believe that the Ludhiana West bypoll is more than just a local contest. It is a testing ground for the BJP’s urban strategy in the state ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. A political expert noted: “Winning the Ludhiana West segment will show that the BJP can now win on its own strength in Punjab. The double-engine sarkar pitch aims to attract the middle class, who are frustrated with local governance but impressed with Modi’s national image.”

For a party that has historically faced stiff resistance in the state, the BJP now sees Ludhiana West as a crucial gateway to long-term relevance in the state. With national narratives around economic reform, infrastructure development and anti-corruption at the heart of its campaign, the party is hoping to connect with an urban electorate disillusioned by local civic issues.

BJP leaders have described Ludhiana West as the pilot for their ‘Mission Urban Punjab’, leveraging the bypoll as a model for deeper inroads into urban constituencies. The campaign is an intricate blend of showcasing national initiatives and addressing hyper-local concerns such as traffic congestion, civic mismanagement, drug menace and industrial stagnation.

As slogans such as ‘Vikas ke liye BJP chuniye’ echo across Ludhiana’s streets and marketplaces, the city finds itself at the centre of a larger political experiment. The BJP is betting big on high-profile canvassing, Central-state synergy and governance credibility to frame Ludhiana West as a blueprint for the party’s resurgence in Punjab. Whether voters embrace the vision or not, it will be revealed when votes are counted — but for now, the BJP’s double engine is in full throttle.