12-Day Campaign to Focus on Drugs, Law and Order
Ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing an ambitious statewide campaign aimed at strengthening its political footprint and mounting a direct challenge to the ruling government.
The party is planning a 12-day statewide Mahayatra from September 18 to 30, with the growing drug menace and deteriorating law-and-order situation expected to be among its key political issues. The campaign is being positioned as a major outreach exercise to connect with voters across Punjab and intensify the party's election preparations.
Yatra to Begin From Pathankot
The Mahayatra will begin on September 18 from Pathankot, with BJP national president Nitin Nabin expected to flag off the campaign.
The main leg of the yatra will begin from the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee memorial at Madhopur, near the Jammu and Kashmir border. The location carries historical significance for the BJP as it is associated with the legacy and struggle of the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
Three other major streams of the campaign are also planned from prominent locations across Punjab.
The second leg will begin from Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib, one of the most important Sikh religious centres and one of the five Takhts.
The third stream will originate from Talwandi Sabo, another prominent religious centre in the Malwa region, while the fourth will begin from the Asafwala War Memorial in Fazilka, paying tribute to Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
BJP Plans Outreach Across All 117 Assembly Seats
The BJP's strategy goes beyond a conventional political rally. According to party sources, the Mahayatra is being planned to pass through all 117 Assembly constituencies, allowing the party's leadership to establish a direct connect with voters across the state.
The campaign is also expected to feature large-scale bike rallies, particularly aimed at mobilising young voters and creating a visible presence on the ground.
More than a dozen Union ministers, national office-bearers and senior Punjab BJP leaders are likely to be assigned responsibilities for different constituencies as part of the campaign.
Amit Shah Likely to Address Jalandhar Mega Rally
The statewide campaign is expected to conclude in Jalandhar on September 29 or 30, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah scheduled to address a major public rally.
The proposed mega rally is expected to serve as a significant political launchpad for the BJP's campaign ahead of the Assembly elections, sending a clear message about the party's intent to expand its electoral base in Punjab.
Party sources have also indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could participate in the wider campaign.
PM Modi's Possible Punjab Visit in October
In a further indication of the BJP's focus on Punjab, a possible three-day visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October is also being discussed, according to party sources.
During the proposed visit, Modi could address public gatherings and participate in roadshows in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala, apart from a possible programme around the headquarters of Radha Soami Satsang Beas.
If finalised, the visit could further amplify the BJP's campaign narrative in the state.
BJP Signals Solo Contest on All 117 Seats
The most significant political message emerging from the BJP's campaign strategy is its decision to prepare for the Assembly elections independently.
BJP leaders have made it clear that the party intends to contest all 117 Assembly seats on its own, ruling out the possibility of an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal.
The decision marks an important shift in Punjab's political landscape, with the BJP seeking to build an independent organisational and electoral base rather than relying on traditional alliances.
Drugs and Law and Order at Centre of BJP's Campaign
By placing the drug crisis and law-and-order situation at the heart of its statewide campaign, the BJP is attempting to turn issues that resonate strongly with Punjab voters into major election themes.
The Mahayatra will therefore be more than a state-level political outreach programme. Its scale, the involvement of senior central leaders and the decision to cover all 117 constituencies indicate that the BJP is preparing for a sustained electoral battle in Punjab.
With the party ruling out an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal and targeting every Assembly seat, the upcoming campaign could offer an early indication of how aggressively the BJP plans to position itself in the state's increasingly competitive political arena