BJP Unveils Punjab's Gameplan Amid Tense Election Campaign
19:52 26.03.2024 (Updated: 20:05 26.03.2024)
© AP Photo / Rajesh Kumar Singh
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The BJP has declared that it would be running independently in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. This decision comes after the party was unable to come to an agreement with the Shiromani Akali Dal on forming an alliance.
Election fever has gripped India as voting for the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will kick off on 17 April. All of the nation's political parties have started gearing up. As part of their preparations, they are forging alliances.
Both ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) have come to a consensus in several states. However, in a few states neither bloc has been able to form an alliance.
One such state is Punjab where I.N.D.I.A bloc members Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress are contesting elections alone while the BJP was unable to reach to a consensus on an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
In an interview with Sputnik India, BJP’s state unit vice president Rajesh Bagha talked about the party’s prospects in the state, poll promises in the state by party, the impact of the farmers’ protest on the vote and his experience as an independent observer in Russia's presidential polls.
BJP’s Punjab Prospects
Speaking about the party's poll prospects in Punjab, Bagha informed Sputnik India that the BJP used to contest elections in Punjab in alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the past.
However, in 2022, the party decided to go at it alone. Interestingly, the party's vote percentage saw an increase, which is particularly notable considering that the elections took place immediately after the farmers' protest.
"The party is operating at both national and local levels, as it is crucial to do so when running for elections independently, without any alliances," he explained.
Bollywood actor and India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sunny Deol gestures to the crowd during an election campaign road show at Dinanagar in northern state of Punjab, India, Thursday, May 2, 2019
© AP Photo / Channi Anand
He also stressed that all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state are crucial for the party, and efforts are being directed towards each one of them.
However, he mentioned that it is premature to make any predictions at this point, but he remains hopeful that the party will achieve better results in the upcoming elections compared to the previous ones.
BJP’s Major Election Pledges for Punjab
Elaborating about the BJP’s major election pledges in the state, Bagha said that the major problem in Punjab is intoxication.
“The youth of the state are trapped, causing ruin to their lives. Additionally, the state's law and order situation is in disarray. Therefore, the primary focus of the BJP in the state will be to rescue the younger generation from substance abuse and restore law and order," he asserted.
Impact of Farmers’ Protest on Polls
Meanwhile, talking about impact of farmers’ protest in the election, the party’s state unit vice president said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's federal government has done a lot of work for the farmers and numerous schemes have been rolled out in favour of them.
"Some of these schemes were not originally part of the government's promises. For example, the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, which provides farmers with INR 6,000 ($72) per year, was rolled out with the vision of assisting farmers in some capacity," he explained.
Vehicles belonging to protesting farmers line the highway near Shambhu border that divides northern Punjab and Haryana states, almost 200 km (125 miles) from New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb.14, 2024. Protesting Indian farmers Wednesday clashed with police for a second consecutive day as tens of thousands of them tried to march to the capital New Delhi to demand guaranteed crop prices for their produce. (AP Photo/Rajesh Sachar)
© AP Photo / Rajesh Sachar
Speaking specifically about Punjab, the BJP politician placed emphasis on the significance of recognising agriculture as the primary source of income for most people in the state. However, he highlighted that the depletion of water levels has resulted in farmers not receiving sufficient water for their crops. The BJP government's main objective will be to raise the water level in Punjab by linking rivers and small water bodies.
The politician noted that numerous initiatives are being undertaken by the government to support farmers, and it is encouraging to see that farmers are appreciating these efforts. Nonetheless, they have additional demands that they wish to see fulfilled. "A dialogue is ongoing, and I am confident that a consensus will be reached soon," Bagha said.
Observer Experience in Russia's Presidential Vote
Sharing his experience as an observer in Russian presidential polls, Bagha said that it was a really wonderful experience.
"I noticed that the level of enthusiasm exhibited by the Russian people during their elections is similar to what we experience during our own. I observed many senior citizens volunteering at the presidential polls, all of whom were dedicated to the advancement of their country," he remarked.
A woman with a child casts her ballot at a polling station during the presidential election in Kirovskoye
© Sputnik / Taisija Voroncova
/ He mentioned that it was the first time he had witnessed people voting using mobile phones. He expressed his interest in suggesting this method to the Election Commission of India.
Talking about transparency in the Russian presidential elections, he noted that the voting was conducted in a fully straightforward manner.
Nevertheless, he observed some variations in the election procedures between Russia and India due to differing geographical conditions.
“Huge poll rallies are not possible there because of the extreme cold conditions, but the candidates shared their viewpoints on television,” he pointed out.
