BJP gears up for Punjab battle, Amit Shah to lead Killi Chahal rally on March 14

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The month of March is set to witness a political surge in Punjab. The Bharatiya Janata Party will formally launch its election campaign in the state with a rally by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 14. Significantly, Shah will address the rally from Killi Chahal village in Moga district, the same location where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) kicked off its 2027 campaign on February 17.

Malwa Emerges as the Political Battleground

According to sources, the choice of venue is a strategic move. Moga is considered a political nerve centre of the Malwa region, which plays a decisive role in Punjab’s power dynamics. Political observers often note that the road to power in Punjab runs through Malwa.

Last week, AAP held a major show of strength at the same venue, highlighting its anti-drug campaign. The event was attended by party convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

A senior BJP leader stated, “Moga is the pivot of Punjab’s politics. Without consolidating support in Malwa, the battle for power remains incomplete. Amit Shah’s rally is being organised with this clear message.”

High Command Closely Monitoring Preparations

Sources indicate that the March 14 rally has been finalised at the highest levels of the BJP leadership. The party’s National General Secretary (Organisation), B. L. Santhosh, has reportedly overseen the preparations.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Punjab, Shah’s rally is being viewed as a sign of the party’s increasing political engagement in the state.

Political analysts believe there had been a perception that the BJP’s focus was largely on other election-bound states such as West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, placing Punjab lower on its priority list. However, the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Dera Ballan on the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti, followed by Amit Shah’s rally announcement, is seen as an attempt to recalibrate that perception.

Distance from Akali Dal or Possible Rapprochement?

The 2027 Assembly elections are not expected to be easy for the BJP. After the alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal ended in 2020 over the farm laws issue, the party is preparing to contest on its own strength for the first time in years.

However, voices within both parties continue to keep speculation alive about a possible reconciliation ahead of the elections.

For now, it is evident that the political contest beginning from Killi Chahal is more than just a rally, it signals a larger battle for dominance in Malwa. While 2027 may still be some distance away, the electoral bugle has clearly been sounded in Punjab.