Parties to set ball rolling for 2027 Assembly poll at Maghi Mela today

Amid the ongoing chill in the region, the political temperature is set to soar on Wednesday as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has put up the largest tent for its Maghi Mela event in Muktsar, overshadowing rival parties Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and splinter Akali groups — Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) and SAD (Amritsar).

The event assumes significance this year as the model code of conduct will be in place for the 2027 Assembly poll during the next edition.

AAP has mounted what many are calling the biggest political setup seen in the past few decades. The party has cleared wheat crop on around 25 acres along Muktsar-Kotkapura Road to raise a sprawling venue.

AAP’s Muktsar district chief Jashan Brar said the party expected 60,000 to 70,000 supporters. “Around 1,600 buses are coming from across Punjab. The rest will come in cars and other vehicles,” he said.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, cabinet ministers and MLAs are expected to address the gathering. Many in the party hint at a major announcement to be made from the stage.

In contrast, SAD, historically dominant at the mela, has retained the conventional Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) ground venue on Malout Road, setting up a tent on 2.5 five acres. SAD’s district head Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi said, “Over 12,000 chairs have been put up and the expected attendance lies between 18,000 and 20,000.”

For the first time, the BJP is holding a solo Maghi Mela rally after the end of its alliance with the Akalis. “A 180x240 ft tent has come up in saffron and green on Malout Road, with arrangements for around 4,000 chairs. A turnout of at least 10,000 workers is expected. Several national and state leaders of the party, including Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu, former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, national general secretary Tarun Chugh, state chief Sunil Jakhar and state’s working president Ashwani Sharma are scheduled to address the gathering,” said BJP leader Pushpinder Bhandari.

The Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), which was formed at the mela last year, is holding an open-air rally over roughly 20,000 sq ft on Malout Road. Party coordinator Paramjit Singh Johal said, “We are expecting 7,000 to 8,000 supporters.” Their hoardings feature jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh behind prison bars. Besdies, the photos of party’s Faridkot MP Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, Jaswant Singh Khalra, Deep Sidhu and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale have been put up on hoardings. The SAD (Amritsar) will hold its rally at Dera Bhai Mastan Singh Road.

Meanwhile, the Congress is not holding a rally citing the edict issued by Akal Takht in 2017 refraining the political parties from holding rallies during such occasions, and plans to hold a rally after the Maghi.