Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], August 26 (ANI): BJP Punjab In-Charge Satish Poonia on Wednesday said that the BJP will contest all 117 seats in the Punjab Assembly elections with the aim of winning, asserting that the party is fully committed to its strengths and policies while identifying the drug menace as a major challenge for the state.

Speaking to ANI, Poonia said, “The aim will be to win… The BJP is fully committed to its own strengths and policies; we will certainly contest 117 seats, and we will do so with the sole intention of winning. The drug menace is a significant challenge for Punjab–a state that was once the pride of the nation. It was renowned across the country and the world for its youth, athletes, traditions, peace, prosperity, and greenery.”

He added, “However, drugs have severely damaged Punjab’s economy, law and order, and social harmony… Therefore, we appeal to the youth and civil society to unite against the drug menace and make this campaign a success.”

On Tuesday, Senior advocate and BJP leader H S Phoolka addressed party workers and media after a key organisational meeting chaired by BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh.

Phoolka expressed confidence over the BJP’s prospects in Punjab and launched a sharp attack on the Congress over the legal proceedings against late former MP Sajjan Kumar.

Speaking on the party’s strategic review and organisational preparations, Phoolka said, “Today, BL Santhosh held a meeting with all party workers, reviewed all ground reports, and discussed our roles for the upcoming elections. It was a very productive meeting with a lot of enthusiasm. The BJP will form the government in Punjab in the next assembly elections.”

Santosh on Monday said that Punjab would contest all 117 Assembly seats and would form its government in the state ahead of the forthcoming 2027 state assembly election amid speculation over an alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) are in the final stages of reviving their alliance for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections due in 2027, with sources indicating that the BJP is set to emerge as the senior partner this time.

According to these sources, seat-sharing talks between the two former allies have progressed significantly. A key indication of this is that the Shiromani Akali Dal has reportedly advised its leaders not to prepare for seats in rural areas.

A realignment with the BJP as the senior partner would significantly alter political equations in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. (ANI)