BJP’s poor performance despite increased vote share highlights need for introspection

Forfeited deposits and anemic performance

In Gidderbaha, erstwhile concern curate Manpreet Singh Badal, the BJP candidate, managed lone 12,174 votes, losing his information deposit. This was a driblet from the 14,850 votes the enactment secured successful the aforesaid constituency during the Lok Sabha polls, contempt stiff husbandman protests then.

In Dera Baba Nanak, BJP campaigner Ravi Karan Kahlon, who had switched from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) successful May, secured conscionable 6,505 votes, forfeiting his information deposit. This was importantly little than the 17,099 votes SAD polled successful the Lok Sabha elections, indicating a deficiency of ballot transportation contempt SAD not contesting the bypolls.

Similarly, successful Chabbewal, Sohan Singh Thandal, a four-time Shiromani Akali Dal MLA, could lone garner 8,692 votes connected a BJP ticket. This was a crisp autumn from the 19,329 votes helium had won arsenic an Akali Dal campaigner successful the 2022 assembly elections.

The lone metallic lining was successful Barnala, wherever BJP campaigner Kewal Singh Dhillon secured 17,958 votes, redeeming his information deposit but finishing third.

Leadership gaps and run missteps

The BJP fought the bypolls without an progressive authorities president, arsenic Jakhar refrained from campaigning pursuing his resignation. Additionally, controversies during the run further marred the party’s efforts. Union curate Ravneet Singh Bittu faced backlash for remarks comparing husbandman national leaders to the Taliban and calling for Enforcement Directorate investigations into their assets. The remarks drew disapproval adjacent from wrong the BJP, including apologies from vice president Harjeet Singh Grewal.

While husbandman unions allowed BJP candidates to run successful villages dissimilar successful the Lok Sabha elections, resentment lingered implicit issues similar delayed paddy lifting and fertiliser shortages, which were attributed to some the BJP and the AAP.

Need for introspection

BJP leaders admit that the bypoll results bespeak deeper issues. “People ballot otherwise successful Lok Sabha, assembly, and bypolls. By-elections often favour ruling parties. However, we volition introspect and illustration the way ahead,” said Vineet Joshi, BJP Punjab’s media in-charge.

A BJP leader, who requested anonymity, added, “We person a challenging roadworthy up and indispensable enactment harder if we are to hole for 2027.”

The results besides amusement that the   SAD votes did not displacement to the BJP, contempt the Akalis opting retired of the bypolls. As apolitical perceiver enactment it, “The BJP’s lacklustre show highlights the party’s conflict to found itself arsenic a credible alternate successful Punjab, and calls for strategical rethinking.”