Amid renewed speculation over a possible reunion with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Punjab core group on Saturday sought clarity from the party high command, with members warning that continued uncertainty could hurt its prospects in the assembly elections scheduled for early next year.
Neither party has officially announced a decision to revive their alliance. The demand for clarity comes amid renewed focus on differences between the two parties over the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted in the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. The Centre’s opposition to commuting Rajoana’s death sentence to life imprisonment contrasts with the SAD’s demand for commutation.
“It is high time that we clarify whether there is any possibility of an alliance or not. The committee discussed key political and organisational issues concerning the party’s Punjab unit. They argued that allowing them to continue in organisational positions while preparing for electoral contests could create a conflict of interest and potentially put other deserving aspirants at a disadvantage.
The arrangements for Union home minister Amit Shah’s Jalandhar rally on September 30 also came under scrutiny, with several senior leaders raising questions over the arrangements and mobilisation of party workers. Some members pointed out that several district presidents were aspiring to contest the 2027 assembly elections, according to party insiders.
The meeting, held here under the chairmanship of Punjab affairs in-charge and national general secretary Satish Poonia, saw several members press for a clear answer on whether the party was considering an alliance with the SAD, according to party insiders. Clarity will only add to our advantage,” a core group member said. Poonia is learnt to have told members that the decision on an alliance rested with the party high command. A former minister who attended the meeting said the BJP could have drawn a much larger crowd had specific mobilisation targets been assigned to core group members.
