BJP Seeks to Form Government in Punjab Amid AAP Crisis

Bhupendra Sharma, New Delhi: The BJP, which formed its first government in West Bengal, is trying to repeat the same feat in Punjab. Assembly elections are due in February-March next year in Punjab along with Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. The BJP is in power in all four states except Punjab. The party has previously formed a government with the Shiromani Akali Dal in the state, but has never come to power on its own. The AAP came to power in Punjab in 2022 with a historic majority. But now its political existence is in question. Apart from the defection of seven Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP, ED action, factionalism in the party can become a crisis for it. In such a situation, it may be difficult for the AAP to keep its MLAs united in Punjab. It has already lost power in Delhi. Punjab is very important for it. On local issues, the BJP did not succeed in the last assembly elections in Punjab and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and by-elections.