No alliance with SAD, BJP will contest Lok Sabha elections on its own in Punjab: Sunil Jakhar

On Tuesday morning, Jakhar took to X to post his announcement via a video message, saying, “In Punjab, we will be going alone to contest this Lok Sabha polls. This decision has been taken after consultation with leaders and other strata of society in the state considering its future. The decision has been taken keeping in view the future of all strata of society”.

“This decision was taken looking at Punjab’s youngsters, the welfare of industries, farming, and many other factors. Everyone knows what Modiji has done for every sector and even in future, he will continue to do so for the welfare of the masses. Hence for Punjab’s golden future, for communal harmony, and the betterment of the people at large, we took this decision to go all alone in Punjab,” he added.

In his message, Jakhar reminded the people of the state of the “pathbreaking” decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government — how the Kartarpur corridor was opened during his regime and how the Minimum Support Price is being implemented for Punjab’s farmers.

Addressing the farmers, Jakhar said, “Everyone knows every single grain of crops (wheat and paddy) are being lifted on MSP from Punjab’s mandis and farmers have also been getting money in their accounts within a week”.

“To make the BJP stronger, I appeal to the people to vote for the party on June 1 so that we can continue serving you all.”

The announcement by Sunil Jakhar has also come three days after the core committee meeting of the Shiromani Akali Dal during which party leaders had categorically stated their principles will remain above politics in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

On March 22, Sukhbir Singh Badal had said, “The party will continue to put principles above politics and it will never deviate from its historic role as a champion of the interests of Khalsa Panth, all minorities as well as all Punjabis. At the same time, we will continue to devote all our energies towards preserving the atmosphere of peace and communal harmony based on the vision of Sarbat da Bhala”.

“As the sole representatives of the Sikhs and all Punjabis, the party will continue its fight for more powers and genuine autonomy to the States. We have never compromised on these interests nor will let its vigil down on these in future,” Badal had said.

They had also demanded the release of Bandi Singhs as per the written commitment of the Union government done over 5 years ago. Many other resolutions were also passed in the core committee meeting.

In September 2020, the SAD had severed its alliance with the BJP over the now-scrapped controversial farm laws even as Punjab farmers have been protesting for a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for their crops.

The SAD and BJP had several rounds of talks before coming to this conclusion. It was even stated that the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab were scheduled in the last phase only to give more time to SAD and BJP to stitch up an alliance. Also, there were reports that besides these points, the parties were not able to reach a consensus on the sharing of seats. While the BJP was demanding at least six of the 13 parliamentary constituencies, the SAD was not willing to part with so many seats.

The BJP has been harping on the Ram Mandir as a major issue in Hindu-dominated areas of Punjab. Party leaders said that while the SAD could get votes for the BJP in rural areas, the saffron could help the SAD with urban Hindu votes. However, after months of talks, the BJP on Tuesday drew curtains over the possibility of an alliance.

With the BJP deciding to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections alone, the state will now see a multi-cornered contest. The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who have come together at the national level, are also contesting in Punjab separately. The AAP has been hoping against the SAD-BJP alliance, feeling that it would be of advantage to the ruling party.