BJP sets sights on Punjab after Delhi victory, eyes 2027 state election

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is riding high on the momentum of its recent victory in the Delhi election. Party leaders in Punjab, under the leadership of state president Sunil Jakhar, have declared that Punjab is the next political frontier for the party to conquer.

BJP’s optimism is bolstered by its improved vote share, which increased from approximately 6 to 18 per cent in the Lok Sabha election last year. The encouraging response in the MC election further strengthens the party’s belief that it stands a good chance of forming the government in Punjab in the 2027 election. However, this optimism is contingent on convincing the electorate that BJP is genuinely pro-farmer and pro-Sikh.

Sunil Jakhar took to X to emphasise that Punjab is the party’s next target. “The party has finally won the Delhi election after a gap of 27 years under the leadership of Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and JP Nadda. Now, Punjabis are looking towards this leadership to free them from the environment of fear under the AAP government in Punjab,” he wrote.

BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, who hails from Amritsar, said, “Like Delhi, Punjab too under the AAP government has become a perfect example of greed and mis-governance. BJP will bring development and prosperity in Punjab.”

Jakhar’s nephew and Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar, who is currently under suspension from the Congress party for pro-BJP activities, echoed this sentiment. He believes that BJP is the right alternative for Punjab, but only if it adopts a course correction in the state. “The party has won with the support of Sikhs and Punjabis in Delhi. It has several pro-farmer policies, which it has to take to the people. If the party carries out some of the changes needed in its policies, then it can form the government in the state with a thumping majority like Delhi.”

Sandeep Jakhar emphasised that BJP’s policies must account for Punjab’s unique status as a border state and the several emotive and sensitive issues faced by its people.

A number of BJP leaders, preferring to remain anonymous, stated that the party would have to work hard over the next two years to realistically think about forming a government. “The membership drive has to be a success. The party needs to attract people with promises of development instead of polarisation of votes which can prove dangerous in the highly sensitive state of Punjab.”

Party sources also suggested that BJP could explore forming an alliance with rebel Akali leaders. “There does not seem to be a chance for re-alliance with the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as they are yet to regain their lost political ground. The rebel Akalis can be a good Sikh-Hindu partnership card for the party,” said a leader wishing anonymity.

The SAD leadership did not congratulate BJP for the victory but focused on the defeat of AAP.

Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal said in a statement that like the voters of Delhi, Punjabis have also realised the AAP government was only looting the state and filling their own pockets. “The voters will defeat AAP in Punjab too,” he said.