Lok Sabha Election 2024 Update: BJP Plans For Solo Run In Punjab, No Tie-Up With Akali Dal

In Punjab, BJP's state president Sunil Jakhar has announced that the party would contest the Lok Sabha election alone and that an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would not be formed, on Teusday.

Last week, sources indicated that a pre-poll pact between the SAD and the BJP might be formed if both parties reached a consensus on seat-sharing in the state.

BJP To Go Alone in Punjab: BJP's state president

Jakhar stated in a post on X that this decision was made based on the opinion of the people and party workers in the state, with consideration for the welfare of farmers and businessmen. Polling for 13 seats in Punjab is scheduled for June 1.

Amid protests from farmers demanding legal Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their agricultural produce, it was stated by Jakhar that every grain was purchased at MSP and the money had reached the accounts of the farmers within weeks. Additionally, it was mentioned by the Punjab BJP chief that the Kartarpur corridor, which had been requested by people for decades, was also made possible under PM Modi because of the blessings of Waheguru.

The Kartarpur Corridor facilitates visa-free 'darshan' of the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara, which is just across the border in Pakistan. In 'Ardas', the Sikh prayer, a prayer is made for "khulle (open) darshan" of the gurdwaras from which the followers of Sikhism have been separated from.

The SAD, one of the oldest allies of the BJP, severed ties with the NDA in September 2020 over the now-repealed farm laws that saw widespread protests in northern India.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, SAD and the BJP contested together but were unable to achieve desired results. Eight seats were bagged by the Congress, bucking the pro-BJP wave seen across northern and central India. The remaining five were won by the BJP (2), SAD (2), and the Aam Aadmi Party.