New Delhi: Ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is keeping its options open regarding a tie-up or association with former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. 


BJP is closely monitoring political moves of the former chief minister, news agency IANS reported.


BJP national general secretary and Punjab in-charge Dushyant Gautam told IANS that the saffron party has its plan and strategy for the assembly elections and is working according to the developing situation. 


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“No doubt, (Amarinder) Singh is a big name and has had an impact on state politics but first of all the former chief minister must clarify his position about the next political move. We have our plans and the BJP is moving ahead with it. We cannot say about Singh’s plan and currently we can't say what will happen in future,” Dushyant Gautam was quoted as saying.


He, however, went on to state that the doors of BJP are open for all nationalists. 


“We are a nationalist party and for us nation comes first. Anyone who believes in this is welcome,” he said.


The  Punjab in-charge informed that BJP is currently working on strengthening the organisational presence across the state. “We are focused on getting 51 per cent of vote share and meanwhile several programs and campaigns are already going on to expand the party base in the state,” he said.


Following his meeting with Amit Shah in New Delhi, Amarinder Singh had clarified that he was not joining BJP but has no intention to continue in Congress either. 


The news agency, in its report, cited BJP leaders as expressing that the former chief minister can give a major boost to the the party’s campaign but a tie-up can happen only once he clarifies his stand. 


“Singh’s image suits our nationalist politics and he can be used to pacify farmers protesting against the three farm laws for the last one year,” a party leader said, as quoted by IANS.


Another party leader stated that Amarinder Singh can help BJP gain the ground lost after alliance with SAD ended. “Singh’s stature and understanding of politics will help if we join hands with him,” the BJP leader said.


In its election strategy, the BJP is reported to be concentrating on about three dozen urban seats spread across Punjab. 


A party insider told IANS that voters in urban constituencies have different aspirations. “Urban voters of Punjab want peace along with prosperity and they will support the party which promises both. Earlier they also supported BJP, now we are working on winning back their support in next state polls,” the insider said.


With farmers’ protests continuing, the BJP has to face its toughest poll challenge in Punjab as compared to other four states - Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Goa, and Uttarakhand - where polls will be held together in February-March next year.


The saffron party is contesting assembly election on its own in Punjab for the first time after one of its oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) walked away from the alliance last year over contentious agrarian laws. 


In 2017, the BJP had won only three out of 23 seats it contested in Punjab.


(With Agency Inputs)