CHANDIGARH:Â Moga is set to return to the centre of Punjab’s political stage as major parties line up back-to-back rallies in the district, signalling the early stirrings of election season even before the formal countdown begins. In Punjab’s electoral arithmetic, Moga is not just another region; it is the decisive battleground where political fortunes are made or undone, often determining who ultimately governs the state, and Moga is centre-stage within Malwa.
On February 16, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party will hold a large anti-drug rally at Killi Chahlan village under its ongoing campaign against narcotics. The event is expected to be addressed by the party’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, giving it both organisational and symbolic weight. The choice of theme is politically significant, as the issue of drugs has repeatedly influenced voter sentiment in Punjab and remains a potent electoral talking point.
Barely weeks later, the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to flex its muscle in the same district, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah likely to address a rally in early March. For the BJP, the mobilisation carries added importance as the party continues efforts to expand independently in Punjab after ending its long-standing alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal in 2020. Holding a major gathering in Malwa could help the party assess cadre strength while signalling long-term intent in a state where it is still seeking deeper electoral roots.
Adding to the political churn, the Shiromani Akali Dal has announced a state-wide mass contact programme beginning February 17 from Qadian, positioning it as the formal launch of the party’s campaign for the 2027 Assembly elections. The first phase of the “Punjab Bachao, Sukhbir Singh Badal Lyad” outreach is expected to include around 40 rallies across Punjab and culminate in a major show of strength on Baisakhi, April 13, at Talwandi Sabo. Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal is slated to lead the campaign, focusing on what the party describes as Punjab’s pressing challenges while presenting its roadmap for the state’s future. The initiative also reflects the Akali Dal’s attempt to reconnect with voters after recent electoral setbacks and reassert its relevance in a rapidly shifting political landscape.
The near overlap of these mobilisations has effectively turned the broader Malwa region into an early arena of political positioning, with both ruling and opposition forces attempting to shape the discourse well ahead of the Assembly elections due next year.
For the Akali Dal, Moga once carried the reputation of being electorally fortunate. A landmark conference held there in the mid-1990s marked a strategic shift toward a broader political positioning, followed by a decisive victory in the subsequent election. Later campaigns were also flagged off from the district before successful electoral outings.
In the 2022 elections, perception did not always hold. Despite impressive rallies in later years, the party faced significant electoral setbacks, illustrating a recurring lesson in Punjab politics: crowds do not automatically translate into votes.
The district has been equally important for the Indian National Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. Campaign promises targeting farmers and women were announced from stages here in previous election cycles, while farmer outreach programmes during the nationwide protests against agricultural laws also passed through Moga. Several of those mobilisations preceded major electoral gains, further strengthening the district’s reputation as a political springboard.
Beyond symbolism, practical considerations play a role. Large open grounds capable of accommodating massive gatherings, coupled with established logistical arrangements, make the area particularly attractive for parties aiming to demonstrate organisational strength.
