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In Punjab, there is an uproar that Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are warming up to each other and may return to an alliance ahead of next year’s general assembly elections. Newly appointed head of state Bharatiya Janata Party Sunil Jacquard told the Indian Express that his main task is to expand the party’s footprint across the state, especially in rural areas where his former ally is far from him, and part of the job will be clearing up misconceptions about the BJP.
Expansion from 23 (Assembly seats) to 117 and from three (Lok Sabha constituencies) to 13. This was an arrangement agreed upon by two parties (My party and BJP) that were in coalition (BJP used to contest only 23 seats in the House and three in general elections). It was because of the personal understanding and equations that Badal sahib (ex CM Parkash Singh Badal) had with Vajpayee ji, Advani ji and Narendra Modi ji. So, the BJP did not dare to go beyond that. Sometimes BJP workers tried to work in rural areas, but Badal Sahib would persuade them to stay away, saying, “Leave this to me.” This limited the expansion of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab. But, I think more than the BJP, my party suffered anxiety because they did not raise the issues that were their responsibility. They were the spokesmen for the farmers. When the BJP needed those comments from the ground about controversial farm bills, it was missing from the SAD side. The BJP and Akali suffered more than the BJP. This is now fertile ground on which the party has not worked before. We will turn these possibilities into opportunities with committed workers and mature leaders who will make concerted efforts. The idea is to go ahead and plant this fertile area into a bountiful crop.
There is a strong buzz that the Social Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party may re-enter an alliance.
Too early to comment, I was not consulted on the matter. It is above my pay to comment on this. But when you say there’s a buzz, yes, there really is a buzz. The main question that has been asked to me since my appointment: Is there an engagement in the near future? I guess it’s not my opinion that matters. I have been tasked with expanding the party, making the presence of the BJP tangible in every constituency, and involving the people. I will be one of the liaisons who will convey to the central leadership the earthly view of what is going on in the minds of the people of Punjab, party workers and party leaders. It will be my effort to strengthen the party because I believe our central leadership will be in a better position (for any decision on alliance) if we speak from a position of strength.
What factors could make the BJP a formidable player in Punjab politics?
Chief Minister Bhagwant Man continues to challenge (the opposition) saying, “Look me in the eye”. People have somewhat lost faith in the political system. They voted overwhelmingly, giving 92 seats to the Aam Aadmi Party. We respect their judgment. But now people are in shock. This is not the “change” they bargained for. The opposition is missing, and it does not express the people’s growing dissatisfaction with the government. They are trying to save their skin. People need guarantees and see that there is a party that has nothing to escape from and can see the government face to face as the so-called opposition (Congress) has surrendered. Here the BJP will position itself so that the people of Punjab see it as an option.
What scheme do you have in mind for the expansion of the BJP?
We have to make sure that people get rid of preconceived ideas about the party. Our former coalition partner (the Bharatiya Janata Party) has portrayed us as a party that does not like Punjab. People have their fears because of this. We have to remove this misconception from people’s minds. We will give people facts and assure them that BJP represents Punjab. We will protect the interests of Punjabis, Punjabis and Punjabi women. Once we have this trust, political benefits and other things will follow. People already have a very positive view of what (Prime Minister) Modi Ji is doing and has done, especially for Punjabis, Punjabis and Sikhs. I believe this message should be driven home and the BJP’s presence should be felt across Punjab.
It seems that Modi’s wave did not succeed in Punjab in the previous elections.
There was misinformation and misunderstanding. Especially in rural areas, where the BJP was non-existent. Whatever was fed was convenient for them (sad) and their interests. Their concern may have been that the agricultural community, or rural areas, be safe only in the hands of the Akali Dal. We have to remove these misconceptions and tell people that BJP is a patriotic party. The BJP has a strength of 303 that comes from 80% of the rural areas across India. So why is Punjab an exception? If the BJP is good for rural areas in other parts of India, why isn’t it good for Punjab? We have to use facts and figures, interact with people, and remove this misconception.
After your appointment, former BJP MP Arun Narang has resigned from all party posts. How will you deal with such protests?
It’s normal, it’s a human reaction. If I were him, my reaction might have been the same. Any change resists. The leader has put faith in me. We’ll clear the air as soon as I sit down and talk to him. I don’t want to create any misconception that I will meddle in his affairs. Not only Narang, in view of the kind of trust the party has given me, it is my moral duty to bear everyone. It is my duty.
Former Chief Minister Charanjeet Singh Chani said that the BJP has appointed a former Congress leader as the head of state and the party has issued a show-off notice for his anti-Dalit remarks. He claimed that this indicated that the party would take steps against Dalits. What is your reaction?
The comments (during an interview with a news channel last year after Congress lost the Punjab elections) he is referring to are crooked. I read some news reports that Sonia Gandhi twice contacted disaffected leaders. It was in the context of G 23 and I tweeted, “Itna bhi mat jhuko ki dastar gir pare (Don’t bend too far till your turban falls)” to get the point across that these leaders should not be given undue importance. I made no reference to Chaney nor did I make any anti-Dalit remarks as the reporter asked me about the Group of 23. By then, Chaney had lost the election and I was asking Congress how valuable their assets were. Obviously, he misunderstood her. I don’t need a certificate from anyone. Where were these leaders when Dalit youth Bhim Tank were brutally murdered? I took up the case though the accused was not only rich and influential but also belonged to a majority group in my district. I had to pay a very high political price. But I think there was not a very high price to pay in this case. This particular person is in prison for life. None of the alleged Dalit leaders visited the victim’s family at that time. I am not a Sikh but I do believe in the principles of Sikhism. I believe in “maanas ki jaat sabe eke pehchanbo”, which means that everyone is the same, even the people who are left behind. My job is to raise their voice. I haven’t done any favors to anyone. I heeded the call of my conscience even if it was very politically costly for me. Does not matter. That’s why I’m in politics.
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