BJP national leadership seeks answers as Punjab unit falls short of expected mobilisation at Shah’s Jalandhar rally.
Chandigarh: With the Akali Dal launching its door to door campaign on October 6 and state-wide bus yatra from November 10, Amit Shah’s carefully calibrated Jalandhar speech has reignited speculation over a possible political realignment ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, BJP national organisational general secretary BL Santhosh has reportedly reprimanded the Punjab unit over the smaller than expected public turnout at the Jalandhar rally.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s address at the BJP’s Jalandhar rally has left the door open for a possible understanding with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), even as the party’s national leadership has reportedly expressed displeasure over the Punjab unit’s inability to mobilise the expected crowd for the high-profile event.
While Shah launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Congress, his conspicuous silence on the SAD and its leadership has triggered fresh political speculation about the possibility of the former allies coming together again.
The speech assumes significance as the BJP has been projecting itself as an independent political force in Punjab, with its leadership repeatedly asserting that the party is preparing to contest all 117 Assembly seats. However, Shah’s latest remarks have not completely shut the door on a possible understanding, particularly in the post poll scenario.
The development comes amid renewed political activity involving SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who has announced an intensive state-wide campaign to revive the party’s grassroots network and consolidate its traditional support base.
BL Santhosh convenes meeting in Panchkula after Jalandhar rally
Meanwhile, the BJP’s Jalandhar rally has reportedly triggered an organisational review within the Punjab unit, with national organisational general secretary BL Santhosh convening a meeting in Panchkula.
According to sources, senior Punjab BJP leaders and organisational functionaries were called for the meeting following the relatively smaller public turnout at Shah’s rally.
Two BJP leaders, speaking to The Daily Guardian on condition of anonymity, said Santhosh expressed strong displeasure over the state unit’s failure to deliver the expected mobilisation and organisational impact before the Union Home Minister.
“BL Santhosh reprimanded the Punjab unit leadership for not being able to produce the desired outcome before Amit Shah. The expectations were much higher, but the turnout did not match the scale of the preparations,” one of the leaders said.
Sources indicated that the meeting focused on the party’s mobilisation strategy, organisational preparedness and the performance of its Punjab leadership ahead of the Assembly elections.
The reported reprimand has brought the state unit’s organisational capabilities under scrutiny, particularly at a time when the BJP is attempting to establish itself as a serious contender in Punjab.
The Jalandhar rally was projected as a major political demonstration of the BJP’s strength and its anti-drug campaign. However, the turnout reportedly fell short of expectations, prompting the national leadership to seek an assessment from the state unit.
The meeting in Panchkula is being viewed within party circles as a message that the central leadership expects measurable organisational performance rather than merely announcements and claims of mobilisation.
SAD manifesto by November 1
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Thursday announced an extensive election campaign programme, beginning with a state-wide door to door outreach on October 6 and culminating in a major public rally at Killi Chahlan village in Moga on December 8, the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
The decisions were announced at a press conference by senior party leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundar and Dr Daljit Singh Cheema following a meeting of the party’s constituency in charges and observers chaired by Sukhbir Badal.
The door to door campaign will be launched by the SAD president from Attari and simultaneously undertaken in all Assembly constituencies. The exercise is aimed at collecting public suggestions for the party’s election manifesto, which is scheduled to be released on November 1.
Bhundar and Cheema said the campaign would be completed by October 25, with the party seeking feedback on issues that voters want incorporated into its electoral agenda.
The manifesto committee has already held consultations with the party’s Scheduled Caste and Backward Class wings. Further consultations will be held with farmers, traders, youth and government employees.
“The focus is on collecting feedback to make an action plan for ushering in progress and prosperity in Punjab,” the leaders said.
Sukhbir’s bus yatra from Talwandi Sabo
The SAD president will launch a state-wide bus yatra from Talwandi Sabo on November 10 as part of an intensive mass contact programme.
According to the party leadership, Badal will cover two to three Assembly constituencies every day, interacting with people and mobilising party workers ahead of the 2027 elections.
Harsimrat to lead women’s anti-drug campaign
Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal will launch the second phase of the SAD’s women’s anti-drug movement from Sri Muktsar Sahib on October 5.
The campaign will carry the slogan “Maawan, Dheeyan di Lalkaar, Band Karo Nasha da Vyapar” to households across Punjab.
The party said the movement would seek to mobilise women against drug trafficking and strengthen public participation in the campaign against substance abuse.
The announcement also places the drug issue at the centre of the SAD’s electoral outreach, a subject that has remained a major political flashpoint in Punjab.
Mammoth rally planned in Moga
The SAD has also announced a major public rally at historic Killi Chahlan village in Moga on December 8 to mark the birth anniversary of Parkash Singh Badal.
The rally is expected to be a significant show of organisational strength as the party steps up its preparations for the Assembly elections.
