Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday declared that the people of Punjab have grown deeply disillusioned with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and are ready for a change, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will form the next government in the state under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Saini made the remarks while addressing a 'maha sammelan' at Baba Bakala Sahib in Amritsar on 28 August.

Sharp Attack on AAP Government

Saini launched a frontal assault on the ruling AAP dispensation, claiming it had not only failed Punjab but had surpassed even the previous Indian National Congress (Congress) government in corruption. 'The AAP government has ruined Punjab,' he said, adding that the people of the state had resolved to install a BJP government to restore development and good governance.

He called on BJP workers and supporters to collectively work towards taking Punjab forward — safeguarding its faith, culture, and the honour of its border regions, particularly the Majha belt.

Spiritual and Historical Context at Baba Bakala Sahib

Paying obeisance at the sacred site, Saini drew on the deep historical and spiritual significance of Baba Bakala Sahib, describing it as a land where history was not merely written but created. He recalled how in 1664, the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan Sahib, indicated his successor with the words 'Baba Bakale', and how Bhai Makhan Shah Lubana subsequently identified the true Guru, proclaiming 'Guru Ladho Re'. The Chief Minister also paid his respects to Guru Tegh Bahadur, revered as 'Hind Di Chadar'.

Saini used the spiritual setting to frame the BJP's political pitch as a moral mission — arguing that just as truth ultimately prevailed at Baba Bakala, honest governance would prevail in Punjab.

BJP's Agenda for Punjab

Outlining the party's priorities, Saini said the BJP's resolve encompasses protecting the faith of Punjab's people, safeguarding farmers' livelihoods, securing opportunities for youth, ensuring the safety and dignity of women, and strengthening the security of the border Majha region. He extended greetings on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, emphasising that women's safety is a societal duty, not merely a governmental responsibility.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan also addressed the large gathering of BJP workers and supporters at the event.

Political Backdrop

The 'maha sammelan' comes as the BJP ramps up its outreach in Punjab, a state where AAP swept to power in 2022 with a historic majority. Critics of the ruling party have raised concerns over law and order, drug menace, and economic stagnation, giving the BJP an opening to build a counter-narrative. Saini's visit signals that the party is investing in early ground mobilisation ahead of the next assembly election cycle.

Whether the BJP can translate such gatherings into electoral momentum in a state where it has historically struggled to build a dominant base remains to be seen.