A glimpse of political scenario of Punjab 

In the pre-Independence period undivided Punjab was known as land of five rivers but after partition Punjab was divided between Punjab (West Pakistan) and Punjab (India) and then further new states Himachal Pradesh and Haryana came into existence from Punjab in the country.  4 Parliament seats are in Himachal Pradesh, 10 parliament seats are in Haryana, 13 parliament seats are in Punjab and 1 parliament seat is Union Territory Chandigarh. 

BJP, Congress, SAD (B), SAD(M), AAP and BSP are the major political parties that will be contesting parliament elections in Punjab.  The picture is yet not clear that whether Punjab will once again follow the theory of alliance or not. The national leadership of all the political parties are keeping an eye on all the Punjab parliament seats. If the concept of theory of alliance is followed then it will be a very easy victory for the alliance the reason that with alliance the wave becomes positive and the floating vote which is always in dilemma over casting their vote converts to a positive concept and attitude towards the existing alliance.

In the past in Punjab Congress ruled the state from 1952 to 1967 and then Bharatiya Jan Sangh and Shiromni Akali Dal formed government in Punjab from 1967 onwards and then again in 1972 Congress formed its government. Similarly in 1977 Janata Party formed the government in Punjab while Congress returned to power in 1980. The Governor rule was imposed in Punjab due to militancy and deteriorating law and order. Then again after Rajiv Gandhi and Harcharan Singh Longowal accord SAD came to power in 1985 and in 1992 Congress came to power. 

In 1997 SAD-BJP alliance formed its government and then Congress government was formed in 2002. SAD-BJP alliance government ruled from 2007 to 2017. Later, Congress formed its government. But, in 2022 assembly elections there was a turmoil in which AAP came to power with a thumping majority. Later, AAP lost the Sangrur parliamentary by elections and won the Jalandhar parliamentary by election. The ball is once again in BJP high command court whether to review its theory of alliance or contest on its own. There is a question that will SAD(B) be once again alliance partner of NDA or not in the coming parliament elections. If BJP contests all the 13 seats in Punjab, then the party high command will have to take some decision on all the former senior leaders and staunch party workers who are feeling ignored or sidelined. These party leaders and workers have stood with the party for a long period and they are honestly working hard to achieve the ultimate goal. It also depends upon the core leadership of SAD (B) whether to be an alliance partner of NDA or refrain from alliance and contest all the parliament seats on its own symbol. Congress High Command is also serious about the parliament seats in Punjab. AAP has done a lot of work for people of the state after coming to power Punjab. There are now clearcut indications that AAP will be contesting all the 13 parliament Seats on its own. With the passage of time, the overall picture will get clear. 

Authored by: 
Rajat Kumar Mohindru, 
Journalist, 
Jalandhar City.