Rival parties use the religious gathering to mobilise supporters and project electoral strength ahead of the 2027 polls.
Punjab’s political leadership converged on Amritsar’s Baba Bakala on Friday as Rakhar Punia brought the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and four major political formations, the Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP, Congress and Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, onto separate stages in one of the state’s most politically significant religious gatherings. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led the AAP programme at the grain market in Rayya, near Baba Bakala. The Shiromani Akali Dal held its political conference under the leadership of senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia.
The BJP organised its own programme with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, among those addressing the public. Congress held a separate programme led by the camp of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, while Akali Dal Waris Punjab De organised a “Panth Bachao, Punjab Bachao” conference. The political conferences at Rakhar Punia are not new. They have been a longstanding feature of the occasion, giving parties an opportunity to mobilise workers, address the public and demonstrate their organisational strength in the Majha region. What has changed is the political landscape around the traditional platforms. The AAP is defending its record after its sweeping victory in the 2022 Assembly election.
The SAD is attempting to rebuild its traditional political base after its electoral setback. The BJP is seeking to expand its independent presence in Punjab after its separation from the SAD alliance. Congress is attempting to challenge the AAP while dealing with factional differences within its state unit. Meanwhile, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De is seeking space in the Panthic political constituency associated historically with the Shiromani Akali Dal. Bhagwant Mann’s presence at the government function gave the AAP the opportunity to project its record before a large gathering in the Baba Bakala area. The Punjab government had announced the Rayya grain market programme as a state level function to mark Rakhar Punia. What has changed is the political landscape around the traditional platforms. The AAP is defending its record after its sweeping victory in the 2022 Assembly election. The SAD is attempting to rebuild its traditional political base after its electoral setback. The BJP is seeking to expand its independent presence in Punjab after its separation from the SAD alliance. Congress is attempting to challenge the AAP while dealing with factional differences within its state unit. Meanwhile, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De is seeking space in the Panthic political constituency associated historically with the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Bhagwant Mann’s presence at the government function The SAD conference saw Bikram Singh Majithia launch one of his sharpest attacks on Bhagwant Mann and directly challenge the Chief Minister to contest the next Assembly election against him from Majitha. “If you are your master’s son, put your puppet aside and come to Majitha and contest against me,” Majithia said. The BJP’s presence was among the most closely watched developments at this year’s Rakhar Punia. The party set up its own political stage and brought senior leadership to Baba Bakala. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini addressed the gathering, while BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu also addressed the public. Chouhan also visited the region for a Kisan Chaupal and paid obeisance at Gurdwara Baba Bakala Sahib.
The BJP has been attempting to expand beyond its traditional urban support base in Punjab and build an independent organisational structure across the state. For Congress, Rakhar Punia became a test not only of its political strength but also of its internal unity. The Congress programme was organised by the camp led by former Baba Bakala MLA Santokh Singh Bhalaipur. Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, along with leaders associated with his camp joined on stage. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and leaders associated with his camp did not attend the programme. Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, associated with jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Khalistani Amritpal Singh, organised its own ‘Panth Bachao, Punjab Bachao’ conference at Baba Bakala. One of the main speakers at Amritpal Singh’s stage, Baljit Singh Khalsa said, “The Panthic groups are not yet in a position to win, but they are in a position to defeat the Badal family. “
