In an attempt to give the much-needed boost to the demoralised SAD-BJP cadre in Punjab ahead 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi would sound the poll bugle on Thursday from Gurdaspur. Tight security arrangements have been made for the event.
Modi would address the joint rally of the SAD-BJP to kick-start the combine’s poll campaign in Punjab, where it has not only lost the power but has also been pushed to the poor third spot, next to nascent AAP.
The rally, being organised as a part of the BJP’s election campaign programme to hold 100 rallies ahead of the elections, is expected to provide a fillip to improve the party’s declining graph and sinking popularity.
SAD-BJP alliance is riding high on the several decisions, concerning the Sikh community, taken by the BJP-led Central Government recently including the opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, conviction in 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases, among others, which the combine is all set to utilise to lure the Sikh voters in Punjab.
BJP is known to have Hindu voter base in Punjab, with majority of Sikh population voting for the Akali Dal prominently in rural areas and the Congress in the urban areas. However, over the period of time, the voters’ pattern has undergone a change, especially with AAP’s emergence in the state politics.
“We have made elaborate arrangements for the public rally. PM Modi has taken a number of steps for the benefit of Punjabis and Sikhs. It is going to be a mega rally in Gurdaspur,” said Punjab BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Shwet Malik.
“The Prime Minister would highlight the works done by the BJP Government at the Centre, including opening of the Kartarpur corridor, waiving of GST on langar items, conviction in 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases especially that of Congress senior leader Sajjan Kumar, among others,” a senior BJP leader told The Pioneer.
The leader said that there issues are so much important for the Sikh community, and the BJP Government’s decision would surely won votes in its favour.
Punjab is among the few states in the country where BJP or its ally is not in power, and BJP is trying to gain ground in the states where it is losing it fast, especially after the recently-concluded Assembly elections to five States, where Congress managed to form Government in three.
Out of total 13 seats in Punjab, BJP has just one in its kitty with the Congress, SAD and AAP having three MPs each.
After addressing the rally, Modi will go to Jalandhar to inaugurate the 106th session of the Indian Science Congress at the Lovely Professional University (LPU).