Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday led the Bharatiya Janata Party's first strategy meeting for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, with top central and state leaders in attendance. The meeting, held at the BJP headquarters, focused on key issues to counter the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.
Pre-Meeting Discussion with Governor
Before the core group meeting, Shah held a half-hour discussion with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at his Kartavya Bhavan office. The two deliberated on the state's political situation before Shah proceeded to the BJP headquarters.
Core Group Meeting
Shah, along with BJP President Nitin Nabin and General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santosh, first held a preliminary discussion on broad points. Subsequently, a larger meeting with Punjab leaders took place, lasting until 10:30 pm, followed by dinner.
Key Discussion Points
Sources told The Tribune that Shah sought inputs from all participants on how to "Save Punjab." Former BJP Punjab President Sunil Jakhar said, "Discussions took place on how to save Punjab's jawaani (youth), kisaani (agriculture), and spirit."
The political strategy was debated threadbare ahead of Nabin's maiden visit to the state from June 20 to 22. Nabin will mark Yoga Day on June 21 in Amritsar and will also chair the largest-ever BJP workers' meeting in Punjab. A party source said, "A meeting of close to 7,000 BJP booth managers in the state is being planned in Ludhiana when the national president arrives."
Issues to Highlight
Sources said there was broad agreement that the BJP would contest the elections on issues of the ruling AAP's "misrule," law and order situation, drug menace, and poor economic health.
Attendees
The meeting was attended by state BJP President Kewal Dhillon; former state chiefs Sunil Jakhar, Avinash Rai Khanna, and Shwait Malik; Union Minister Ravneet Bittu; former state minister Manoranjan Kalia; Ashwani Sharma; BJP National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh; Parliamentary Board member Iqbal Singh Lalpura; former state minister Manpreet Badal; Fateh Singh Bajwa; state BJP General Secretary Parminder Brar; and Punjab women's wing president Jai Inder Kaur.
From the organisational side, senior RSS functionaries Saudan Singh (handling northern states), Mantri Srinivasulu (BJP general secretary organisation for Punjab), and Narinder Raina were present. Notably, none of the recently inducted former AAP MPs were invited.
