Bengal done, Punjab next: Amit Shah's monthly blitz signals BJP's big gamble

As celebrations over the BJP's West Bengal win played out in Delhi, Sikh supporters and new slogans pointed to the party's next move towards Punjab. The moment underscored a wider strategy built on anti-drug messaging, defections and organisational expansion ahead of 2027.

In Short

• Sikh participation at Delhi celebrations hinted at calibrated outreach beyond Bengal
• Regular Amit Shah visits are expected to anchor the party's campaign machinery
• The revived Nasha-Mukt Punjab plank seeks to turn public anger political

If winning elections is an art, the BJP is the artist. Turning every obstacle into an opportunity is a craft the party has mastered.

As I stood in a corner at the BJP headquarters in the national capital, listening to the top leadership speak while celebrations for the West Bengal victory unfolded, something unusual caught my attention. Among the crowd was a group of Sikhs celebrating the BJP’s win in the state.

Having covered numerous BJP rallies and roadshows, and spent time outside rooms where policy is debated in detail, I am familiar with the slogans that usually echo through BJP corridors, Jai Shri Ram and Bharat Mata ki Jai. But this time, as celebrations intensified, a different call rose from the stage: “Jo bole so nihaal! Sat Sri Akal!”

With fists raised, the Sikh group responded enthusiastically. For a political reporter, that was more than just a moment; it was a signal.

Standing there, it was clear that their presence was not incidental. It was optics and strategy working in tandem. Optics to suggest the next political frontier, Punjab. Strategy to indicate that the chessboard has already been laid out, and the moves will follow soon.

The dust in West Bengal has barely settled, yet the BJP has already begun shifting its focus. After more than fifty rallies and a fifteen-day campaign stretch in Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s next destination is Punjab. The intent is unmistakable: a crackdown on drugs, organisational expansion, and a direct push for power in 2027.

A NEW THEATRE OF POWER

Punjab is rapidly emerging as the BJP’s next political battleground.

Even before Bengal’s political dust has settled, the party has pivoted with urgency. Amit Shah’s move from the campaign trail in the east to a strategic focus on the north is not routine, it signals the beginning of a long-term electoral play.

From May, Shah is expected to make regular visits to the state. The contours of the plan are clear: sustained leadership presence, deeper organisational reach, and a narrative built around governance failures, particularly the issue of drugs.

A LONG GAME WITH HIGH STAKES

Punjab is no longer a peripheral experiment for the BJP. It is a high-stakes political project.

With a renewed push around Nasha-Mukt Punjab, the party is attempting to build both a moral and political narrative. What began as an anti-drug framework in 2016 is now being revived as a central campaign theme, aimed at converting public concern into political momentum.

This is not just an election strategy; it is groundwork for a prolonged political contest.

REWIRING THE ORGANISATION

The BJP’s Punjab push is also being reinforced through new faces and shifting equations.

Seven Rajya Sabha MPs who defected from the Aam Aadmi Party are now being projected as symbols of regional commitment. Their entry is central to the BJP’s effort to localise its appeal in a state where it has historically struggled to build an independent base.

From village panchayats to urban booths, the party is working to strengthen its grassroots machinery, moving away from reliance on alliances.

BREAKING FROM THE PAST

Perhaps the most decisive shift is the BJP’s break from its long-standing alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal.

No longer willing to play the junior partner, the BJP is positioning itself as a principal force in Punjab politics. This ambition is backed by numbers; its vote share has nearly doubled from 9.63 per cent in 2019 to 18.56 per cent in 2024.

While that did not translate into seats, it has given the party confidence to pursue an independent path.

READING THE POLITICAL VACUUM

The BJP’s strategy is also shaped by its reading of the opposition.

The AAP government is being targeted over governance and delivery. Congress continues to grapple with internal divisions. The Akali Dal, once dominant, is struggling to regain relevance.

In this landscape, the BJP is positioning itself as a stable and decisive alternative.

MOMENTUM AND RESISTANCE

Recent electoral gains in states like West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry have energised BJP workers in Punjab. But resistance remains strong.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has dismissed the BJP’s prospects, pointing to the party’s stance during the farmers’ protests as a lasting political liability.

THE DEFECTION STRATEGY

The induction of key AAP leaders, including those linked to its 2022 victory, marks a significant escalation.

This is not just about numbers. It is about weakening the opponent while strengthening perception. By bringing in influential faces, the BJP is attempting to disrupt AAP’s internal cohesion and expand its own credibility.

EXPANDING THE SOCIAL BASE

Beyond leadership shifts, the BJP is also attempting to reshape its social coalition.

With the decline of the Akali Dal, the party sees an opening to reach sections of the Panthic vote. At the same time, outreach to Scheduled Castes, traditionally aligned with Congress, is being intensified.

Symbolism, religious outreach and community engagement are all being woven into a broader strategy to realign voter bases.

- Ends