PM Narendra Modi’s Punjab visit raises stakes ahead of elections
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress are wary of Modi’s second visit to Jalandhar in five months.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media posts this evening about his visit to Jalandhar and Chandigarh tomorrow have stirred anxiety among party workers and political observers. Three of the posts were in Punjabi.
In one post, Modi wrote: “I look forward to being among the people of Punjab during the BJP rally in Jalandhar tomorrow. Punjab is looking towards the BJP with hope. Our party’s development agenda will ensure prosperity and ‘ease of living’ for my sisters and brothers of Punjab.”
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress are wary of Modi’s second visit to Jalandhar in five months. The city has a large Dalit population and Modi has cultivated ties with Dera Sachkhand Ballan head Sant Niranjan Dass since last year.
The dera head is scheduled to meet Modi at the railway station tomorrow, where the PM will flag off the Amritsar-Varanasi Express. Some dera functionaries and devotees will also travel on the train.
Modi visited the dera on February 1 on Guru Ravidas Jayanti. Days earlier, Sant Niranjan Dass was named among Padma Shri awardees. During that visit, Modi announced that the Adampur civil airport would be renamed as Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport.
In another post today, Modi said: “Projects worth over Rs 5,400 crore will be inaugurated or their foundation stones laid in Jalandhar tomorrow. The train service between Amritsar and Varanasi will connect two important religious and cultural centres of India.” Observers noted the PM’s attempt to link Punjab with his own constituency.
AAP leaders have been making frequent visits to the dera and pushing for a Guru Ravidas Research Centre on the land acquired nearby. Ministers, including Harpal Cheema, have been regular visitors.
Congress leaders, too, maintain ties with the dera, with former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi a frequent visitor. With 34 reserved Assembly seats in Punjab and elections due in the coming months, both parties are keenly watching Modi’s outreach.
