In Punjab, where a multi-cornered electoral struggle is likely, the BJP will head a three-party alliance with former chief minister Amarinder Singh‘s Punjab Lok Congress and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa’s SAD (Sanyukt). On Monday, Singh and Dhindsa met with BJP president J P Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is in charge of the party’s electioneering in Punjab, at Shah’s house in New Delhi.
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“Today, it is being formally stated that the BJP, Amarinder Singh’s party, and Sukhdev Dhindsa’s party would jointly contest the next Assembly elections in Punjab,” Shekhawat told the reporters afterwards. Shekhawat said a joint committee will be constituted with two leaders from each party to finalise seat-sharing agreements. “A committee of leaders from (the) three parties will meet and negotiate seat-sharing,” says the statement (formula). It was also revealed that the partnership will have a shared manifesto. When asked if the alliance will have a candidate for prime minister, Shekhawat indicated such choices would be made later.
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Given the political climate in Punjab, Shekhawat said the party is confident. “The only ray of hope for the people of Punjab is the BJP, since the Congress is riven by infighting, and the state is paying the price, as seen by the recent bombing in the Ludhiana (court complex).” “The age of narcotics and mafia under the Akali Dal has not been forgotten,” he stated. According to the results revealed on Monday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won the most seats in the Chandigarh civic elections, which the BJP leaders denied. “Only the BJP can salvage the state, which has a big debt of approximately Rs 4 lakh crore and one of the weakest GDP growth rates in the country, ranking 32nd,” Shekhawat remarked. “It’s a life-or-death scenario.” It can only be saved with the Center’s support, and people have realised this.”
