Ahead of the 2022 Punjab assembly elections, the centralgovernment has become serious about finding a solution to the farmers’agitation and among other issues related to Punjab. To discuss the same, PM Narendra Modi today had a meeting with BJP leaders from Punjab at the PM's residence in Delhi.
Although BJP leaders are calling it a routine meeting, there are speculations that some bigdecisions were taken related to Punjab's core issues specifically farmers protest. Apart from this, discussions related to election preparations, Kartarpur Corridor and alliance withCaptain Amarinder Singh took place, as per sources.
BJP national general secretaries Tarun Chugh and DushyantGautam, Punjab unit president Ashwani Sharma, national spokesperson Sardar R.P.Singh and youth wing national secretary Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga and otherleaders from Punjab were present at the meeting. The BJP's national vice president Saudan Singh led thedelegation.
The BJP delegation gave a memorandum to the PrimeMinister requesting for the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, which hasbeen closed since March last year due to Covid-related restrictions.Thememorandum lauded the Prime Minister's effort for ensuring construction of thecorridor, which was neglected by the Congress and other parties.
The memorandum mentioned that the people were expectingthe corridor to reopen while the country is moving ahead with the unlockprocess after vaccinating 110 crore eligible population and when active casesare around 1.35 lakh.
"On the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj's'Prakash Parv' on November 19, we request you to give order to reopen theKartarpur Sahib corridor. We have faith that you will act immediately," itsaid.
After the meeting, Bagga said that the delegation of Sikhleaders met the Prime Minister and requested to ensure reopening of KartarpurSahib corridor which has been closed since last year due to Covid.
Sources in the party also informed that every small or big program of BJP is being opposed inPunjab, it will be difficult for the BJP to campaign easily ahead of assembly elections. Punjab BJP had put this ground reality too in frontof the PM.
BJP's biggest issue is the farmer's movement in Punjab.Farmers are opposing the BJP in protest against the Centre's agriculturalreform laws. The agitation has been going on the Delhi border for almost ayear.
Another big issue related to the faith of Sikhs is ofKartarpur Corridor. It has been closed since last year due to Corona. Sikhdevotees in Punjab and the government and political parties are demanding toopen it. But it has not yet been approved by the Centre yet.
This would be a crucial election for BJP as for the firsttime, the party will contest alone on all 117 seats. Till now BJP used to fight electionsin alliance with Akali Dal but Akalis broke the alliance to support theprotesting farmers.
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Another important issue discussed in the meeting is alliance with Captain AmarinderSingh, who recently left Congress and formed a new political party. Captain Amarinder is considered close to PM Modi. In such a situation, there is a hope that therole of Captain in the next elections, may be discussed.
Although the Captainhas not forged an alliance with the BJP, he has spoken about seat-sharing withthe BJP after the farmers' agitation is resolved.