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BJP targets Punjab early as Chadha, Mittal lead AAP exodus during Bengal polls.
Mission Punjab
BJP eyes Punjab 2027 polls early as Raghav Chadha leads AAP exodus. Photo: AI composition by ChatGPT

BJP turns to Punjab even before Bengal polls end as Chadha-led AAP exodus signals 2027 push

| @indiablooms | Apr 24, 2026, at 09:33 pm

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun positioning itself for the Punjab Assembly elections even as voting continues in West Bengal, with the defection of Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs signalling an early strategic shift towards the 2027 contest.

The coordinated move by multiple Rajya Sabha members has drawn attention to the BJP’s ongoing political mobilisation, extending beyond immediate electoral battles to future state contests.

Early signals for Punjab 2027

With Punjab scheduled to go to the polls in early 2027, the BJP appears to be consolidating its presence well in advance.

The entry of leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party, including Chadha and Mittal, adds new faces to the party’s ranks in a state where it has historically had limited independent electoral success.

Punjab has remained outside the BJP’s direct control, with the party previously operating in alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal before their split in 2020.

The recent developments indicate a renewed focus on building a stronger standalone presence.

Leadership messaging and political direction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier linked electoral momentum across states while addressing party workers after the Bihar Assembly election victory.

He referred to the geographical and political flow from Bihar to Bengal, indicating the party’s broader electoral outlook.

Subsequent political developments suggest that the focus may now be extending further westward towards Punjab, even as the Bengal election process remains ongoing.

Campaign momentum across states

Senior BJP leaders have remained actively engaged in campaigning across multiple states.

Modi addressed several rallies in West Bengal, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted extensive outreach on the ground.

Other leaders, including Himanta Biswa Sarma, Yogi Adityanath and Rekha Gupta, also participated in campaign efforts, reflecting the party’s multi-state mobilisation strategy.

Strengthening presence in Punjab

The BJP’s challenge in Punjab has historically centred on the absence of strong local leadership.

The party’s earlier reliance on alliances limited its independent organisational footprint in the state.

Recent entrants, including Chadha, Mittal and other MPs, add to existing leaders such as Ravneet Singh Bittu, who had previously joined the BJP from the Congress.

These additions are expected to contribute to the party’s efforts to expand its base.

AAP exodus reshapes political landscape

The departure of several AAP MPs has created a shift within the party’s parliamentary representation.

The coordinated nature of the move, involving multiple leaders from Punjab, highlights internal changes within the party’s ranks.

As the BJP continues its campaign in West Bengal, the developments indicate parallel political activity focused on upcoming electoral contests, with Punjab emerging as a key area of interest ahead of the 2027 elections.

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