Sunil Jakhar ends alliance debate in Punjab: Enough of being ‘chhota bhai’

“But it has been a long time. That agreement was done in 1996-97…We have to protect the interests of the people of Punjab…Let us get over this syndrome that we are a junior partner. I have one request. We will have to give up this “chhota bhai wali sonch” (the mindset of being a junior ally). We will have to end this “chhota bhai” syndrome,” he said. He underlined that BJP’s responsibility is not limited to 13 Lok Sabha and 117 Vidhan Sabha seats, “but towards rangla (vibrant) Punjab, which is under an evil eye,” Jakhar said, “Your ideological commitment is the force behind you. My first duty is to make you realise your strength. Let’s win hearts, seats will automatically follow”.

In September 2020, the SAD had walked out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the now-repealed three farm bills and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal had resigned as a Union minister. Recently, when asked about going back to the BJP before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal had said it was just a media speculation.

Asserting that peace and communal harmony was paramount for BJP, Jakhar said, “India is the world’s largest secular country and there is no bigger secular state in the country than Punjab”. Targeting the ruling AAP, Jakhar said, “No one feels safe in Punjab these days. If anyone is feeling safe, it is gangsters who are running their writ from inside jails too”.

He said different sections of people were dejected with the AAP dispensation. “The BJP will raise the voice of Punjabis and fight for their rights. Attempts are being made to create a wedge amongst the communities and set Punjab on fire. We will have to assure people of Punjab that BJP will fight for them,” he added.
Invoking Bhagat Singh and other freedom fighters and pointing out that “Punjab’s character was revolutionary”, Jakhar urged party cadre fight with all their might and “turn the challenge into the opportunities”.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Som Prakash said there have been many changes in the BJP since the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls with many leaders from other parties joining it. “When we talk of winning all 13 (LS) seats…all the leaders and workers will have to work very hard,” he said.
Party’s Punjab affairs in-charge Vijay Rupani said that BJP is not a family party. “It is a party of the workers. Punjab is a border state. We will not let state weaken..We will ensure Hindu-Sikh unity.”

“Leaders like Baldev Parkash, Hit Abhilashi, Manmohan Kalia and Balramji Das Tandon contributed a lot in establishing BJP in Punjab…Terrorists killed many of our workers,” he added. He assured Jakhar that “from booth level workers to core group members, all are with you.” A former state BJP chief Avinash Rai Khanna referred to 2007 elections, and said BJP won 19 out of 23 seats it contested and the SAD (with 48 seats) could form govt only because of saffron party. He added, “Time has come now for us to increase our space. But, we will not get it on a platter. We will have to work hard”.

Outgoing Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma was conspicuous by his absence. However, in a tweet later in Punjabi, Sharma, addressing Jakhar said, “I am sorry I could not attend the programme due to ill health. Hope your experience gives new direction to the party.” Almost all party leaders, including Jakhar, who spoke during the occasion were all praise for Sharma. Winding up his speech, Harjit Singh Grewal asked party cadre to greet each other with ‘Guru fateh’. Grewal said, “Guru fateh bulaya karo. Aiven na oh gallan kareo jehrian pehlaan karde si (Start greeting eache other with Guru fateh. Don’t do what you had been doing earlier)”.