Post SAD breakup, BJP senses open space for growth in Punjab

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 27

A story doing rounds is that when Akali leader Harsimrat  Kaur Badal submitted her resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi (from his council of ministers) to protest against the three agri-legislations, “he just took it and signed it” .

Without getting into debate over its authenticity, basically what the BJP wants to convey is that if Harsimrat Kaur was hoping that she will be asked to stay back or that the PM will relent with an assurance on re-think/consultations on the contentious legislations, it did not happen. In any case, the very next day the President accepted the resignation and gave the charge of her ministry to Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, “as advised by the PM”.  

“These reforms are not about one state but the entire nation, including those who really need them, the 85 per cent small and marginal in the country. We stood by them (Akalis) even when it meant sacrificing aspirations of our cadres (in Punjab). The local leadership had been demanding it (separation) for long, but the BJP never walks out on allies with whom we have long associations, it is not our ‘sanskaar’,” says a leader who did not wish to be named. 

This more or less also explain feelings of majority of BJP leaders in Punjab who believe that after playing second fiddle for years, with Akalis out of the way there is an opportunity for the saffron party to come on its own. As Rajya Sabha MP Shwait Malik puts it “sky is the limit now. You will see how fast the BJP grows in Punjab”. 

“Because we were limited to 23 seats, our political space also remained limited. We just had 20 per cent of the political space. The Prime Minister always tells us to create opportunities out of challenges. Whenever faced with a challenge, the BJP has always emerged a winner. It is a new opportunity for us, we will reach out each and every one and spread the right message on the agriculture reforms,” says Malik.

Regarding the possibility of negative perceptions due to the fallout, Malik says, “The Ordinances were not passed yesterday, rather Akalis are on the record saying they are pro-farmers, etc. They resigned because of political compulsions, the Congress was misleading farmers and they got caught in its misinformation campaign.” 

The feelings that Akalis let the BJP down is evident from what senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said when asked about Harsimrat Kaur’s resignation from the Cabinet. “She (Harsimrat) was a part of the Cabinet where the decisions were taken. She only asked if it was legally possible and as the Law Minister I clarified. She has been a distinguished minister in the Cabinet and I would like to remember her like that,” said Prasad.

However, while the majority is looking forward to increasing the BJP’s base and contesting all the 117 seats, a section has some reservations. “The break-up may be good for the party but it is not good for the country. Politically we (BJP) may be able to do well but due to this alliance we were able to control the language, anti-national sentiments etc...The alliance was also a symbol of Hindu-Sikh unity, now it will be free for all in the sensitive border state.”

Besides the BJP has to a long way to go given its lack of organisational strength. “Of the 43 office bearers (in the state unit), 27 belong to the 23 Assemblies we contest,” they say. Though with next Assembly elections still a few months away (2022) the BJP has the time to sync its aspirations by building leadership representing dominant Sikh community and farmers. The elevation of Punjab leader Tarun Chugh as the national general secretary and appointment of former IPS Iqbal Singh Lalpura as national spokesperson are also being seen as steps towards building the leadership in the state.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.