New Delhi(Raakhi Jagga of Indian Express) Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Thursday opposed the Centre’s move to allocate 10 acres of land in Chandigarh to the BJP-led Haryana government for a Legislative Assembly, saying it would “dilute Punjab’s claim on Chandigarh.”
“I believe that in order to maintain strong relations between Punjab and the central government, this decision should be reconsidered, and I appeal to the Prime Minister to personally intervene and have this decision reversed,” Jakhar said in a long post in Punjabi on X.
In a conversation with the media, Jakhar also confirmed that he had resigned after the BJP’s dismal show in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. “After the Lok Sabha polls, although the BJP gained vote share, it was not able to win even a single seat. I had submitted my resignation to national president Jagat Prakash Nadda ji, asking to be relieved of this responsibility. Now, whatever decision they take is up to them as I have already submitted my resignation,” Jakhar said.The BJP is yet to appoint a new state president and party sources said a decision on whether or not Jakhar will be urged to stay will be taken by the high command. Asked if he would continue as state president if the party persuaded him to do so, Jakhar avoided a direct answer.
Known for airing his independent views, Jakhar also voiced his concerns about the move to allocate land to Haryana. “Chandigarh is not only a piece of land as the capital of Punjab but also deeply connected to the emotions of the people of Punjab. In an effort to heal Punjab’s past wounds, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken steps for the social and religious prosperity of Punjabis. However, this decision will weaken Punjab’s right over Chandigarh and would hurt the sentiments of Punjabis,” he said in a post on X.
“Due to the illogical and absurd stand of the Aam Aadmi Party’s Chief Minister, on an issue where all political parties of Punjab were united, Punjab’s claim on Chandigarh has weakened. During the Northern Zonal Council meeting in Jaipur in July 2022, when Haryana demanded land for its legislative assembly in the presence of the Union Home Minister, Punjab’s Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, instead of opposing this, requested land for a Punjab assembly in Chandigarh as well, effectively supporting Haryana’s demand. Why should the people of Punjab bear the consequences of this Punjab-opposing stance taken by Punjab’s inexperienced Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann?” Jakhar added.
“When Chandigarh belongs to Punjab, why should we ask for land for our Vidhan Sabha from a place that is already ours? Rather, Mann should have opposed Haryana’s demand. I will strongly take up the matter with PM Modi and seek his intervention to have this land allotment cancelled,” Jakhar told The Indian Express.
A veteran Congressman, Jakhar had joined the BJP in May 2022 and was made the BJP state president in July 2023. Referring to his resignation, Jakhar said that in 2019, when he lost the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat, he had offered his resignation to the Congress as he was serving as the party’s state president at the time. Asked about the possibility of rejoining Congress, Jakhar categorically told The Indian Express, “Which Congress are you talking about? Earlier, the Congress’s secular slogan was ‘Na jaat pe na paat pe, mohar lagegi haath pe (Vote for the hand symbol, not caste)’…now they are even asking for a caste census.”
On the possibility of a Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance, Jakhar said, “I mentioned before the Lok Sabha polls that an alliance could be beneficial for the state. However, at this stage, both parties need to first strengthen themselves within Punjab. They need to stand on their own feet.”Discussing his appeal to the Akal Takht Sahib regarding the ‘Tankhaiya’ (guilty of violating Sikh religious code) status of Sukhbir Singh Badal, he reiterated, “As a Punjabi, I believe the Akali Dal must exist in Punjab for the state’s stability, regardless of its electoral success, as its foundation was laid at the Akal Takht Sahib.” Jakhar had appealed to the Akal Takht Jathedar to save the Akali Dal.
Jakhar also addressed rumours about differences with Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, clarifying that there was no discord between them. He shared that his nephew and Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar had even invited Bittu as the chief guest at the annual marathon in Abohar on October 17.
However, he advised Bittu, saying, “Instead of targeting farmers, Bittu should first push for action against politicians, including one in whose house the ED (Enforcement Directorate) found Rs 10 crore, and another who faces inquiry for sourcing public bus bodies from Rajasthan instead of Punjab. Politicians should be held accountable before targeting farmers. Farmers need our support and someone to stand by them. Efforts should be made to make agriculture profitable.” Jakhar was referring to the ED seizing Rs 10 crore from the house of a relative of former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi in 2022 and a controversy involving former transport minister Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.Jakhar also highlighted that the Congress and the AAP appear to be working together, creating a lack of Opposition in the state, and urged people to vote wisely in the bypolls on November 20.