Punjab elections 2027: AAP vs who? BJP, Congress, Shiroman Akali Dal scramble for challenger’s spot
Congress remains the main opposition party in the state with 18 seats, ahead of SAD and BJP. However, the report stated that the party was dealing with internal bickering after its central leadership retained Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the Punjab Congress president and appointed Charanjit Singh Channi as the campaign committee chairman. Many provincial leaders supported Channi, forcing the high command to reconsider its leadership decisions.
Also read: Punjab Congress chief reaffirms unity in party ranks amid dispute over Congress leadership decisions
Channi, like Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, skipped an important Punjab Congress meeting called by Warring. Both leaders informed the party they were out of town and would return in a few days, Warring said. According to a report by TOI, it is learned that Channi and a group of loyalists were in Delhi to express their concerns over the recent reshuffle in the government unit.
AICC general secretary for Punjab Bhupesh Baghel is on a five-day tour of the state to meet senior leaders and party workers as part of an organizational strengthening drive. He argued that Congress remains the only option for Punjab voters. The immediate task of the central leadership is to pacify the Channi camp without alienating Warring, but no changes to the current arrangement have yet been announced.
BJP steps up outreach with planned Modi visit
Meanwhile, the BJP has increased its outreach in Punjab despite having the weakest organizational base among the four major parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, BJP president Nitin Nabin and Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini had visited the state in recent months. Modi is expected to travel to Punjab again later this month to launch new development projects. The report stated that the party’s strategy in Punjab is based on three pillars: bringing in leaders of rival parties, attacking the AAP government on issues such as drugs, sacred video controversies and corruption, and promoting central fund and infrastructure projects. Several Congress leaders joined the BJP around the 2022 elections, followed by a second wave of defections from the AAP, including former Kejriwal aide Raghav Chadha and six other MPs.
Also read: Pressure won’t work, Punjab Congress stands firm on decision: AICC
Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said the Center is ensuring that there is no shortage of funds for the development of Punjab with ongoing investments in infrastructure, connectivity and public welfare. This will be Modi’s second visit to Punjab this year, following his trip in February to celebrate the 649th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, where he renamed Adampur Airport and inaugurated a new terminal at Halwara Airport in Ludhiana.
SAD struggles to stay relevant
SAD, which once dominated Punjab politics, was reduced to a marginal existence after its split from the BJP. The party continued to target the Bhagwant Mann government but its traditional support base among rural and Sikh voters was eroded by the rise of AAP. A renewed alliance with the BJP looks unlikely, with Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri saying the party will not accept the role of junior partner again. In 2022, the BJP won two seats while the SAD won only three seats, recording its worst performance ever.
With the Congress managing internal divisions, the BJP pushing an aggressive expansion strategy and the SAD struggling to stay relevant, Punjab’s 2027 contest is shaping up as a battle within the opposition even before the main fight against the AAP begins, TOI reported.
