Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP To Go Solo In Punjab, No Alliance With Shiromani Akali Dal

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday announced that it will not partner with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab.

BJP Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar posted a video on X to announce the saffron camp’s move.

He said the decision came after the party took note of the feedback received from the people and the party workers. “The works done by the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are not hidden from anyone,” Jakhar said.

He also noted that the farmers’ produce was procure at minimum support price (MSP) in the last 10 years.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the party has decided “we will contest all 13 seats on our own. We want to remain in direct contact with the people of Punjab,” adding that, “We are sure, PM Modi will win in Punjab also.”

Polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will take place on June 1, which is the last phase of the seven-phase general elections and the results will be announced on June 4.

Last month, amid speculations of SAD joining the BJP-led NDA, party president Sukhbir Singh Badal had said that he was at the time doing “Punjab Bachao Yatra”.

Badal avoided giving any straight answers regarding his party’s alliance with the BJP and slammed the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in the state saying it ruined Punjab.

“I am currently doing ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’, our alliance is with BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party)…They (Congress and AAP) are thieves and have ruined Punjab…” Badal had said.

SAD had walked out of the BJP-led NDA in 2021 while protesting against the three farm laws.

(With PTI inputs)