Has the farmers protest culminated into a Sikh versus BJP showdown in northern India, particularly in Haryana, Punjab and beyond? With SAD – BJP alliance falling prey to these protests and the top BJP leadership having overlooked the importance of strong Sikh leadership, BJP has missed presenting a Sikh face in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, especially from within its own cadre, concludes political analyst Dr Amarjit Singh of Patiala, in his research.
As General Elections loom, BJP Punjab has no scope of sending a turbaned Sikh representative in the Lok Sabha turning the focus on Haryana, specifically to the strategically significant only Sikh seat in Haryana, namely Kurukshetra, however, BJP lacks a suitable Sikh candidate. Data reveals that the only turbaned Sikh, who has contested and won Lok Sabha seat on BJP ticket in 2019 is S. S. Ahluwalia and that too from West Bengal’s Bardhaman-Durgapur seat.
Historical analysis adds depth to the discussion. The BJP acknowledges this historical context, realising that the last Sikh candidate to win the Kurukshetra seat was in 1991 when Tara Singh of Congress emerged victorious over BJP’s Raj Kumar Saini. Going further back, Raghuvir Singh won from Janata Party in 1977, Harpal Singh won from Congress in 1984, Gurdial Singh Saini won from Janata Dal in 1989, and Tara Singh secured Kurukshetra seat for Congress in 1991. Notably, former Interim Prime Minister Gulzari Lal Nanda also represented Kurukshetra between 1967 and 1971.
With both Punjab and Haryana hold significant Sikh population, BJP is aware of the urgency of bridging its gap with the Sikhs of rural belt. While facing resistance in Punjab, BJP leadership might turn its attention to Haryana, where Kurukshetra offers the party a strategic opportunity to win over the Sikh community by fielding a strong Sikh candidate and build trust with the community.
A senior BJP leader without naming the person mentioned that there is a Sikh face in Haryana wellversed in Sikh religious practices, articulate orator and has a good command over several subjects evident in his interviews. He adheres to Sikh culture and is widely popular on media and social media.
However, the question remains whether the BJP top brass will give its own cadre an opportunity or will the turncoats rule the roost. Speaking to The Sunday Guardian, Haryana BJP General Secretary (Organisation) Phaninder Nath Sharma asserted that BJP works for the entire nation with the perspective of being Indian first. Regarding Kurukshetra, a strategically important seat whether reserved for Sikhs or not, Sharma mentions that this decision is in the hands of the top brass of the party, and he personally has no say to it. Regarding the presence of a Sikh face within the BJP cadre, Sharma confirms that yes, the party does have a Sikh face.
However, he emphasised that all such decisions are taken by the party’s top leadership. As the party is expected to announce its list of candidates in the coming days, the spotlight remains on whether BJP will opt for a Sikh face, solidifying its bond with the Sikh community, or risk missing out on a crucial opportunity?