BJP Declares Independent Run in Punjab Assembly Race, Rules Out SAD Alliance

In Amritsar, Rajya Sabha member Satish Poonia, who oversees BJP affairs in Punjab and Haryana, ruled out any coalition with the Shiromani Akali Dal for the forthcoming Punjab Assembly polls, stating the party will contest all 117 seats on its own. He voiced alarm over the state's law-and-order situation, particularly the drug problem and what he termed narco-terrorism, and said a comprehensive action plan is being prepared.

Poonia visited several religious sites, including Sri Durgiana Temple, the Golden Temple and Central Valmiki Temple, as part of his tour. Accompanying him were Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon, national vice-president Manpreet Singh Badal and other senior figures, who also launched attacks on the AAP administration, accusing it of rising crime and broken promises. The BJP emphasized its development record in other states and urged voters to trust its "double-engine" model for Punjab's future. Organizational strengthening down to the booth level was presented as a key priority ahead of the election.