BJP says it welcomed 100–150 farmer leaders at a Patiala rally on Monday, a move it claims will strengthen its rural base ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. The Nasha Mukti Yatra, held in Patiala’s rural outskirts, featured the party’s promise to address drug abuse and farmer welfare. Nirmal Singh, a local farmer, defended his decision to join the BJP, citing the party’s outreach to rural communities.
Shadipur Union leader Buta Singh Shadipur slammed the claim, stating, “No one from our organization has joined the BJP.” He accused the party of misusing the union’s name and logo, alleging that outsiders were presented as union members. Singh added that the false association could mislead voters into thinking the union endorsed the BJP.
The union’s legal adviser, Advocate Prabhjeet Singh, said the organization is scrutinizing videos and other material and will issue legal notices if necessary, citing trademark and defamation laws. He noted that the investigation will determine whether the BJP’s use of the union’s identity amounts to unlawful appropriation.
BJP officials countered that the event was about individual participation, not an endorsement from any organized group. They asserted that farmer volunteers were free to join the party independently, and that the union’s name was used only as background décor. The party maintains that it is engaging farmers on their own terms.
The controversy arrives as BJP ramps up its rural campaign, targeting drug addiction and farmer distress to widen its appeal beyond urban centers. Past outreach efforts have focused on substance abuse and agricultural subsidies, positioning the party as a champion for rural issues.
The union’s investigation is expected to conclude by early next week, after which a formal notice could be sent. The outcome may shape BJP’s strategy for the 2027 assembly elections and could influence voter sentiment in Punjab’s agrarian constituencies.