Rift: Contrary to Capt Amarinder, Ashwani Sharma, Jiyani say BJP to fight 2027 polls alone

Published on: 02 Dec 2025 at 05:14 PM

Published by: Fact News

Fact News Service

Chandigarh, December 2: A day after former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh reportedly suggested that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would “have to go for an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)” to have any real shot at winning the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections, sharp contradictions surfaced within the state unit. Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma on Tuesday asserted that the party leadership had “clearly directed” the cadre to prepare to contest all 117 Assembly seats on its own.

Adding weight to Sharma’s stance, senior BJP leader and former minister Surjeet Kumar Jiyani publicly backed him, stating that the Punjab unit must “focus on strengthening the organisation and building an independent electoral identity.” His endorsement signaled that a significant portion of the state leadership is unwilling to revisit ties with the Akalis, whose break with the BJP in 2020 over the now-repealed farm laws still casts a long shadow.

The divergent positions—Amarinder advocating a revived alliance and Sharma and Jiyani insisting on a solo battle—have created visible fissures at a time when the party is attempting to expand its still-limited political footprint in Punjab. Although the BJP made incremental gains in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party’s ground network remains weaker in rural constituencies, where SAD once served as its traditional anchor.

Political observers say the division raises critical questions about the party’s 2027 prospects. On one hand, Capt Amarinder’s stance stems from a pragmatic assessment: the BJP lacks a robust statewide base and may need a regional partner with deep-rooted organisational strength. On the other, the state leadership believes that returning to the Akalis could alienate newer voter segments and constrain the BJP’s expansion in a state where political equations are rapidly evolving.

However, what is emerging most clearly is the absence of a unified strategic direction. Without clarity on whether alliances will be pursued or rejected, party workers on the ground may find mobilization difficult. Mixed signals from senior leaders risk damaging morale and diluting the party’s messaging, especially when rival parties in Punjab—Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress—have already begun early positioning for 2027.

Analysts warn that persistent internal contradictions could cost the BJP more than just organisational harmony. Punjab’s political landscape rewards coherence and stability; divisions at the top often translate into confusion among voters. If the BJP continues to publicly oscillate between alliance politics and solo ambitions, it may struggle to present itself as a credible alternative to the incumbents.

As 2027 draws closer, the central leadership may need to intervene to reconcile viewpoints and articulate a unified strategy. Whether that leads to mending ties with the SAD or doubling down on an independent contest remains to be seen—but the path forward will require clarity that the party currently appears to lack.