The BJP has tried for five years to rebuild its base after breaking ties with the Shiromani Akali Dal. However, rural Sikh voters continue to view the party with distrust. The farm laws, economic stress, and cultural anxieties still shape public opinion. Even in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP failed to win a seat in Punjab.

Recently, the Centre’s move to change Panjab University’s Senate and alter Chandigarh’s constitutional status triggered fresh anger. Punjab BJP leaders said they had no role in these decisions, which left them defending policies they did not shape. After strong protests, the Centre pulled back the proposals, but the damage had already deepened the political divide.

As the BJP tries to expand its footprint, it struggles to convince voters that the state unit prioritises Punjab’s autonomy, identity, and federal rights. The tension between Delhi and Punjab continues to define the party’s challenges.

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