All eyes on Punjab as India`s parliamentary elections near conclusion
(MENAFN) As India's parliamentary elections near their conclusion on June 1, all eyes are on Punjab, the country's breadbasket and the ancestral home of Sikhs, a significant religious group numbering 30 million worldwide, with 24 million residing in India. Punjab's 13 seats out of the 543 nationwide will play a pivotal role in determining whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi secures a third term.
Of notable significance is the absence of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the electoral fray in Punjab, breaking a nearly three-decade tradition, as it forges an alliance. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a century-old regional party deeply rooted in rural Sikh communities, has opted to contest independently, marking a significant shift. This decision stems from rural Punjabi resentment toward the central government, notably over two farmer protests in 2021 and earlier this year, where demands for a guaranteed minimum support price for 23 crop varieties remained unresolved.
While agrarian issues dominate the forefront, a simmering discontent prevails over the perceived political apathy towards Punjab's drug addiction epidemic. With 266 lives lost to drug overdoses between 2020 and 2023, the issue resonates deeply with voters like Jaspreet Kaur, who tragically lost her 30-year-old son to addiction last year.
As the election draws to a close, Punjab stands at a crossroads, grappling with multifaceted challenges ranging from agricultural reforms to social crises. The outcome of Punjab's vote holds profound implications for the trajectory of Indian politics and the welfare of its citizens, highlighting the complex interplay of regional dynamics within the broader national electoral landscape.
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