The political temperature in Punjab is rising as AAP and BJP step up their battle ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The controversy over AAP’s land pooling policy gave rivals Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal an opportunity to attack. But Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann quickly shifted the focus by targeting the Centre’s move to remove nearly 11 lakh ration cards under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
Farmers’ discontent encouraged BJP to launch its “BJP De Sevadar Aa Gaye Tuhade Dwar” campaign to highlight Central schemes. AAP countered by calling it an “illegal data-gathering exercise” and detained several BJP leaders. At the same time, AAP backed INDIA bloc’s charge of vote theft, blaming the Election Commission.
With Congress weakened by internal rifts and Akalis struggling for space, experts say BJP is fast replacing Congress as AAP’s main rival. BJP is banking on schemes like PM-Kisan, Ayushman Bharat, Vishwakarma Yojana, and E-Shram to woo voters, while AAP reminds people of free electricity, Rs 10 lakh health insurance, and canal water supply.
Both parties are now targeting OBC, Dalit, Hindu, and Sikh voters. Congress strategists fear this double push could erode their base and reshape Punjab’s politics in 2027.
