Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab Chief Sunil Jakhar and State In-Charge for Punjab and Chandigarh, Vijay Rupani, convened the party’s core committee meeting in Chandigarh today in preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing reporters on Friday, Vijay Rupani stated, “BJP’s decision to contest alone on all 13 seats in Punjab and one seat in Chandigarh is garnering positive reception. In today’s meeting, we will deliberate and finalize the list of candidates.”
Highlighting the influx of new members into the BJP fold, Rupani remarked, “We are witnessing encouraging developments in Punjab. The presence of Prime Minister Modi is crucial for Punjab and the nation. Many individuals, including sitting MPs, are joining BJP, signaling a favorable trend.”
Rupani emphasized the BJP’s expanded electoral footprint in Punjab, noting, “Previously, we contested only on 2-3 seats, but this time we are fielding candidates across all 13 constituencies in the state. We anticipate a strengthened performance by BJP.”
The decision for BJP to contest independently in Punjab follows the dissolution of its longstanding alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) amid the farmers’ protests.
Earlier this week, Sunil Jakhar affirmed the party’s solo electoral venture in Punjab, announcing on ‘X’ platform along with a video message, “BJP to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone in Punjab.”
In a significant development, Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu joined BJP at the party headquarters in Delhi. Bittu, the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and son of former Punjab Minister Tej Parkash Singh, bolsters BJP’s presence. Additionally, two Aam Aadmi Party leaders, Jalandhar MP Sushil Kumar Rinku and Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural, switched allegiance to BJP. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP secured two seats in Punjab while its ally SAD clinched two seats. The Congress emerged victorious on eight seats, with the Aam Aadmi Party winning one. Punjab comprises 13 parliamentary constituencies.