Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Amit Shah’s Punjab Push Raises Questions Inside BJP
Amit Shah is leading the BJP’s campaign in Punjab, where the party wants to govern on its own.
He promised that Punjab would be drug-free by the end of 2029 if voters chose the BJP.
Some BJP members think winning in Punjab will be difficult.
They are also asking why Shah is spending so much time there while the party prepares for an important election in Uttar Pradesh.
The article says the BJP is seeking another term in Uttar Pradesh under Yogi Adityanath.
It also reports a dispute in Odisha over a mining law and describes difficulties for Congress in Assam.
In Keralam, it discusses a change in how often the chief minister meets the media.
Together, the reports describe political disputes and party challenges in several states.
Amit Shah promised to make Punjab drug-free by December 31, 2029, if voters give the BJP a chance to govern.
The BJP is seeking to contest Punjab independently, although party members reportedly see winning power there as a steep challenge.
Shah’s focus on Punjab has prompted questions about the BJP’s preparations for a third consecutive term in Uttar Pradesh under Yogi Adityanath.
In Odisha, the BJP government and its MPs face criticism over the Mines and Minerals Amendment Act; Dharmendra Pradhan defended it, while the BJD called his claims misleading.
The article also describes challenges for Congress in Assam and tensions over media access and past political conduct in Keralam.
- Who
- Amit Shah and the BJP, with other political figures and parties in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Keralam, Odisha and Assam.
- What
- Shah’s Punjab campaign and the questions it has raised within the BJP, alongside reports of political disputes and party challenges in other states.
- When
- Shah spoke at a Jalandhar rally earlier that week; Punjab is due to hold elections early next year. The other reports refer to events including September 28 and October 3, without specifying a year.
- Where
- Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Keralam, Odisha and Assam.
- Why
- The BJP is seeking to win power directly in Punjab, while party members are questioning its campaign priorities ahead of the Uttar Pradesh election.
Questions and criticism
Defences and responses
BJP’s attention to Punjab
Questions and criticism
Some BJP leaders reportedly question Shah’s intensive focus on Punjab while the party faces a crucial Uttar Pradesh test.
Defences and responses
Shah has taken personal charge of the Punjab campaign, where the BJP is trying to build support and govern independently.
Odisha mining law
Questions and criticism
Naveen Patnaik accused BJP MPs of remaining silent over the law, and the BJD called Pradhan’s defence misleading.
Defences and responses
Pradhan defended the law and accused the former BJD government of favouring a private company in relation to bauxite pricing.
- Punjab drug-free deadline
- December 31, 2029, conditional on voters giving the BJP an opportunity to govern.
- Punjab election timing
- The article says Punjab goes to the polls early next year.
- BJP’s Punjab approach
- The party is seeking to break out on its own after previously sharing power as a junior ally of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
- Uttar Pradesh
- The BJP is seeking a third consecutive term under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
- Odisha mining dispute
- The dispute concerns the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act; the BJD described Dharmendra Pradhan’s statement as misleading.
- Assam Congress
- Bhupesh Baghel has been tasked with rejuvenating and rebuilding the weakened Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.