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@Evening: 🟠 ⁉️ What's Wrong In Punjab BJP

Nishtha AnushreeJul 05, 2023, 06:45 PM | Updated 06:45 PM IST
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Sunil Jakhar, new chief of Punjab BJP

Double trouble: BJP is trying hard to gain some ground in the state of Punjab and for this, the party is taking some conflicting steps.

  • The elevation of Sunil Jakhar as the BJP's Punjab president contradicts its rumored attempts to re-align with the Shiromani Akali Dal (B) (SAD-B).

  • If indeed the BJP has to re-align itself with the Akalis, why elevate Sunil Jakhar, who has been a long-standing opponent of Akali politics in Punjab?

  • Unless the BJP clearly states its intention to go solo and fight hard on the ground, such promotions of prominent political figures within the party seem pointless.

  • The recent appointment troubles: Sunil Jakhar's elevation has caused discontent within the BJP's established rank and file.

    • Arun Narang, a former MLA in Punjab, resigned from all party positions, expressing disappointment over Sunil Jakhar's appointment.

  • He said that the party failed to acknowledge the contributions of those who faced the brunt during the farm protests against three farm bills and instead handed over the leadership to a defector.

  • The BJP has been inducting a large number of former Congress members and Akalis from Shiromani Akali Dal (B) (SAD-B), and giving them positions in the party at the expense of the loyal longstanding members; this has naturally caused resentment in the party cadre.

  • The problems with the Akali alliance: The BJP should not forget its past experiences with the SAD-B, whether it was being hindered in urban centers or not even being considered for the position of deputy Chief Minister in the state.

    • The BJP leadership will undoubtedly struggle to justify this decision to its cadre, who felt liberated for the first time in decades.

  • Considering how the BSP became practically irrelevant in its alliance with the SAD-B, the BJP leadership needs to carefully consider its participation.

  • The past inclusion of prominent figures like Captain Amarinder Singh, who has always been against Akali politics, would also be questioned in such a scenario.

  • Bottomline: Rohit Pathania suggests the BJP to carefully evaluate whether Jakhar's elevation genuinely benefits the party and address its inconsistencies in Punjab.

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