MOGA — Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially launched the BJP’s campaign for the 2027 Punjab Assembly Elections today at a “Badlav” rally in Moga. Declaring an end to the party’s era as a “junior partner” in alliances, Shah announced that the BJP will contest all seats independently with the goal of forming its own government for the first time in the state.
The rally was held in the Malwa belt, a crucial political battleground that accounts for 69 of the 117 assembly seats in Punjab.
Major Poll Promises:
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Anti-Conversion Law: Shah announced that the very first bill introduced by a BJP government in Punjab would be a strict law against forced religious conversions. He invoked the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur to emphasize the protection of religious freedom.
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War on Drugs: Promising a “Drug-Free Punjab” within two years, the Home Minister asserted that only a “double-engine” government (BJP at both Center and State) has the political will to uproot the narcotics trade and the gangster culture currently plaguing the state.
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Industrial & Agrarian Revival: Shah criticized successive governments (Congress, SAD, and AAP) for the flight of industry from Punjab and the continued struggles of farmers, positioning the BJP as the only alternative for economic stability.
Attack on AAP Leadership:
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“Delhi’s ATM”: In a scathing critique of the current administration, Shah alleged that the Punjab government is being run from Delhi. He claimed the state exchequer is being used as an “ATM for Arvind Kejriwal,” accusing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of spending more time as a “pilot” for the AAP convenor than governing the state.
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Law and Order: Highlighting recent killings of sarpanches and a police sub-inspector, Shah claimed that security has collapsed under the current regime, allowing extortion and gang activities to flourish.
The Political Shift:
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Solo Run: This announcement confirms the BJP’s strategy to pivot away from its former ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
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Vote Share Ambition: Referencing the 19% vote share the BJP secured in Punjab during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Shah expressed confidence that this momentum would lead to a decisive victory in 2027.
The 2022 elections saw the AAP sweep 92 seats, leaving the BJP with just two. However, by launching its campaign three years early, the BJP is signaling a long-term commitment to reshaping the political landscape of the border state.
