BJP MP Raghav Chadha’s surprise meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday set tongues wagging, with the former AAP leader describing the interaction as “a morning to cherish”. The meeting has generated considerable interest, coming months ahead of the Punjab assembly elections. On Friday, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also met the Prime Minister.
While Chadha, who rebelled against the AAP and joined the BJP with six other MPs earlier this year, did not reveal what was discussed, he said it was an “enriching interaction”. A report in The Tribune said the prevailing situation in Punjab was among the issues discussed.
“Had the privilege of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A detailed and enriching interaction. Deeply grateful for his generous time and for the opportunity to benefit from his insights and guidance,” Chadha said.
WHY RAGHAV CHADHA MET PM MODI?
The meeting comes at a time when the BJP has ramped up political activity in Punjab ahead of the Assembly elections. Chadha, who represents Punjab in the Rajya Sabha and has ancestral roots in Jalandhar, is expected to play a prominent and active role for the BJP in the state.
Chadha, who has been with the AAP since its inception, triggered a major political shake-up in April when he and six other MPs merged with the BJP. Of the seven, six were from Punjab.
Once seen as the “de facto Chief Minister” of Punjab, Chadha’s exit came as a body blow to the AAP in the only state it presently holds power.
While Chadha did not contest the 2022 Punjab polls, he worked behind the scenes as a strategist and helped the AAP script a historic victory in the state amid challenges from behemoths like SAD, BJP and the Congress.
Now with the BJP, Chadha is likely to get an active role in the poll-bound state.
Not only does he have a grasp of Punjab’s electoral dynamics, his urban appeal could also help the BJP strengthen its presence in cities such as Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar. The BJP has struggled to expand its support among business communities and middle-class voters in Punjab, especially after severing ties with SAD.
Significantly, Chadha’s meeting with Modi comes a day after Sukhbir Singh Badal met the Prime Minister on Friday. It has led to speculation that the BJP might be open to renew ties with its estranged ally.
The Akali Dal, whose fortunes have been on a decline since AAP’s rise, is apparently keen on joining hands with BJP. The SAD has shrunk to three MLAs and an MP.
With the political space in Punjab getting increasingly fragmented, can Chadha script a turnaround for the BJP if he gets a role? Only time will tell.
