Traditionally, political rallies in Punjab’s Muktsar mark Maghi, honoring the 40 ‘Muktas’ who sacrificed their lives in 1705. In a significant move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a religious event in Muktsar with central and state leaders present, signaling its solo governance aspirations by 2027.
The BJP’s presence at this event, usually drawing large crowds, showcases its deep connection to Punjab and ‘Punjabiyat’. By hosting this event, the BJP aims to convey its readiness to govern independently in 2027 without coalition support, posing a challenge to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress.
This strategic move by the BJP, holding the rally after a decade, while the Congress refrains from a political event, signifies a shift in traditional political dynamics. The event held in Muktsar’s villages, a stronghold of the Badal family, indicates the BJP’s intent to expand its political reach beyond conventional boundaries.
The three-day Maghi Mela, culminating on Thursday, attracts devotees from Punjab and neighboring regions for a sacred dip at historic gurdwaras in Muktsar. The BJP’s event during this festival aims to demonstrate its solidarity with the Sikh community and dispel perceptions of being solely urban or Hindu-centric.
Against allegations by AAP and Congress regarding the MGNREGA, the BJP has actively promoted its new rural employment scheme through public meetings across various Punjab regions. The party’s relief efforts during the state’s monsoon floods, including door-to-door assessments and aid distribution, have bolstered its rural support base.
