BJP has drawn out most ambitious political strategies for ensuing Punjab assembly polls :::: Nasha Mukt - Anti Drug campaign will be taken up in a big way

The BJP has intensified discussions on its political strategy and electoral preparedness for the ensuing elections in Punjab. 

It may be exaggeration and not a fair composition but the saffron party workers and mid-level leaders in Punjab feel if "most difficult state" West Bengal could be conquered; the prospects in the key northern state should not be ruled out. 

The electoral strategies may create room for accommodation with Akali Dal for Sikh votes but the Akalis are also seen as liability in many quarters for non-performance and immense corruption. 

Hence, a section has clearly suggested that that it intends to contest the Punjab Assembly elections on its own making organisational consolidation and effective election management key priorities.

The appointment of C R Patil, a trusted colleague of Home Minister Amit Shah from Gujarat as poll in-charge for the party came at a crucial juncture as the BJP accelerates its organisational activities across Punjab. 

"We want to expand our presence at the grassroots level, strengthening cadre and building a robust organisational network" says a party insider.  Patil’s appointment is expected to provide further impetus to the BJP’s preparations and bring his experience in organisation-building and electoral strategy.  

State BJP general secretary Parminder Singh Brar said - “Mann Ki Baat” of PM Narendra Modi was not merely a radio programme but a reflection of the nation’s collective consciousness. The issues highlighted by the Prime Minister always encourage social awareness, strengthen citizens’ sense of duty and reinforce the vision of a Developed India".

That is why an elaborate sitting arrangements were made in 40 locations in Jalandhar Central and 50 locations across the Jalandhar North and West constituencies on Sunday (Aug 30) for listening to Mann-Ki Baat address by Modi.

Now, the BJP sympathisers and workers would be continuously engaged with the public to promote the ideals of service, good governance and national security.  But there are issues and emotional elements in Punjab politics. 

Certainly, the Lotus party has to win the confidence of the Sikh voter but there will need for walking a tightrope. Some elements have started to condemn 'Operation Bluestar' by Indira Gandhi as there is a need for 'soft-pedal strategies' vis-a-vis Bhindranwale factor.

But the Lotus party can never seen compromising the tune of muscular nationalism.  

The old timers say the BJP has in the past directly blamed the Congress party for allowing militancy in Punjab to spiral out of control. 

The allegation being the Congress fuelled the growth of militancy by using “militants and others" both in its political battle against the Akali Dal and for settling some of the the factional clashes within the Congress party itself. 

Modi in Naga attire :  A sign of Bravery 

In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha debate, described the Army’s 1984 operation as an attack on the Akal Takht, the supreme seat of Sikhism. 

In September 2024, during the release of her movie 'Emergency', when the BJP Lok Sabha MP, Kangana Ranaut, called Bhindranwale a terrorist; many Sikhs including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and a few Punjab BJP leaders were quick to rebuke her for making “unnecessary comments”.  

The live streaming of gurbani from the Golden Temple to millions of screens is of immense religious and political significance in the Sikh-majority State. This was also in controversy between Akalis and the ruling AAP in the recent past.   

Punjab BJP's organisation general secretary Srinivasulu said through “Mann Ki Baat”, the Prime Minister has yet again brought national recognition to the extraordinary achievements of ordinary citizens. 

The speech of Aug 30 is seen as a starting point in Punjab and it is expected to continue to inspire youth, women, farmers and people from every section of society. 

Now, focus will be on booth level karyakartas to taking the Prime Minister’s message to every household.  

Jalandhar West and urban segments like Jalandhar Central and Jalandhar North are considered key urban pockets of influence for Lotus party.  

In terms of electoral strategies and campaign plans, the BJP is placing the state's drug menace, gang violence, and deteriorating law-and-order situation at the forefront of its public attacks against the ruling AAP.

Socio-Economic Issues are also being highloghted.

Such as - Local industrial flight, mounting state financial debt, and delayed administrative payments form the core economic critique against the state government under Bhagwant Mann.  

The BJP leadership is expected to further intensify meetings, constituency-level reviews and organisational programmes.  

The campaign around cenral Govt schemes heavily leverages Modi Govt's welfare achievements, publicizing Narendra Modi's governance model and development record directly to rural and urban households.  

The focus on drugs is significant, with the BJP seeking to turn an issue that cuts across Punjab's urban-rural and political divides. 

The strategy also comes with a wider political calculation. Both the Congress in 2017 and the AAP in 2022 rode to power on promises to tackle Punjab's drug problem. 

Prime Minister Modi has now launched the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan on August 2 as part of a 100-week nationwide anti-drug campaign.  

At a recent meeting with Punjab BJP leaders and workers in Ludhiana, BJP general secy (Organisation) B L Santosh stressed that the party should organise anti-drug yatras across all 117 Assembly constituencies in September. 

Senior BJP leaders from Delhi are expected to participate in or lead several of these programmes. 

ends