• Source:JND

Rohit Kumar, Chandigarh: Amid preparations for the Punjab Assembly elections, the issue of a possible electoral alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) figured prominently in the top leadership meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP.

According to sources, senior RSS leaders sought feedback from Punjab BJP leaders on the current political situation and the possibility of an electoral alliance with the SAD. During the meeting, several BJP leaders also advocated for an alliance with the Akali Dal.

The marathon meeting, which lasted nearly eight hours in Chandigarh, was attended by RSS Joint General Secretary Arun Kumar, BJP Organisation General Secretary BL Santosh, State BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon, Working President Ashwani Sharma, former State President Sunil Jakhar, and several senior RSS and BJP officials. Punjab Organisation Secretary Mantri Srinivasulu and senior RSS official Saudan Singh also participated on behalf of the RSS.

Detailed discussion on electoral cooperation

According to sources, the main agenda of the meeting was to assess the political situation in Punjab and formulate an organisational strategy for the 2027 assembly elections. The relationship between the BJP and the SAD, as well as potential future electoral cooperation, was also discussed in detail.

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Many BJP leaders believed that an alliance with the SAD should not be completely ruled out, given the current political dynamics in the state. They argued that this could benefit the party in making inroads into the traditional Sikh and rural vote banks.

However, the central leadership currently appears to be taking a different stance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already publicly stated that the BJP aims to contest all 117 assembly seats in Punjab on its own. Therefore, the final decision regarding alliances will be made by the party leadership.

Emphasis on strengthening reach to different sections

The meeting also reviewed the BJP's growing vote share and organisational expansion. Leaders were told that the party's vote share in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was 9.63 per cent, which increased to 18.56 per cent in 2024.

The RSS, building on this growth, has focused on strengthening its reach to various sections, including farmers, youth, women, Scheduled Castes, OBCs and Dera followers.

According to sources, religious conversion, law and order, the drug issue, economic challenges, and the threat of cross-border terrorism were identified as key issues for the upcoming elections. The meeting also discussed the political implications of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib's decision regarding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

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Hope for gains in Punjab

The RSS leadership said in the meeting that the Sangh Parivar has performed remarkably on the basis of organisational strength in challenging states like Haryana and West Bengal.

Along similar lines, the BJP's expansion and improved electoral performance in Punjab were also anticipated. Workers were urged to become active at the grassroots level and reach out to new social segments.


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