In a firm rebuttal to former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, state leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday reiterated their party's intention to contest the upcoming 2027 Punjab Legislative Assembly elections alone, targeting all 117 seats. The leaders dismissed Amarinder's recent remarks advocating for a BJP-Akali Dal alliance as merely his "personal opinion."
BJP State Leadership Stands Firm on Solo Contest
Reacting to Captain Amarinder Singh's interview where he suggested the BJP would need an alliance to form a government in Punjab, senior party figures in the state presented a united front. Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma clarified that while the former CM was entitled to his view as an elder, the party's preparation was firmly focused on a solo venture. "BJP is targeting all 117 seats and preparing accordingly," Sharma stated.
Echoing this sentiment, BJP leader and former minister Surjit Jyani emphasized that the party's strategy was being shaped by directives from the central leadership. "As per directions from the party high command, we are preparing on all 117 seats," Jyani said, also labeling Amarinder's comments as a personal perspective.
Another former minister and BJP leader, Manoranjan Kalia, addressed the tactical aspect, noting that any final decision on alliances would rest with the party's central leadership. Responding to Amarinder's warning that the BJP might need to wait for two or three elections to strengthen its ground presence without an ally, Kalia invoked a historical parallel. "Things take time. There was this slogan that 'desh ka neta kaisa ho, Atal Bihari jaisa ho'. And he went on to become the Prime Minister. It all depends on time and tide," he remarked.
Amarinder Singh's Pitch for an Alliance
The controversy stems from an interview given by Captain Amarinder Singh to an online news channel. The former Chief Minister, who defected from the Congress to the BJP, argued that for the BJP to form a government in Punjab, it must either ally with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) or be prepared for a prolonged effort. "If BJP does not go for an alliance, it will have to wait for two-three elections to strengthen its ground position," he had said.
Batting for the alliance, Amarinder pointed out that Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar understood his perspective, referencing their time together in the Congress. "Jakhar knows my mind. When I was chief minister, he was PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) president. We know what is required for Punjab," he stated. Notably, Jakhar himself has publicly supported the idea of a BJP-SAD alliance, calling it the "need of the hour" and describing a moderate Akali Dal as a "safety valve" for Punjab's polity.
Akali Dal Welcomes the Statement, Sets Conditions
The reaction from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was notably welcoming. Veteran Akali leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder told The Times of India that Captain Amarinder Singh's statement was a "daring" and factual one, especially coming from a leader who switched from Congress to BJP. He noted that Sunil Jakhar had been expressing similar views.
However, Bhunder set clear preconditions for any potential alliance. He asserted that for any seat-sharing discussion to occur, the central government must first address the issues and demands of the Akali Dal concerning Punjab's interests. "SAD cannot go for any seat-sharing arrangement, only to form a govt. For us, the interests of Punjab are paramount," Bhunder declared. He also emphasized the need for the Centre to respect the Sikh minority and address their issues, irrespective of which party holds power at the national level.
This political exchange underscores the evolving and complex alliances in Punjab ahead of the 2027 elections, with the BJP asserting its independent strength while veteran politicians and potential allies stress the importance of coalition politics for stability in the state.
