Why PM Modi Visited Punjab Village Hours After Union Budget 2026
Jalandhar: Just four hours after presenting the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Punjab’s Jalandhar district. The timing, however, was deliberate. With Punjab heading to Assembly polls in early 2027, the BJP has already started shaping its campaign. Therefore, Modi’s visit to Ballan village carried clear political weight. The stop at Dera Sachkhand signalled a focused outreach to Dalit voters. Moreover, it showed the party’s intent to expand beyond its traditional base in the state.
Dalit Outreach Gains Momentum Before 2027 Elections
Punjab has the highest share of Dalits among Indian states. In fact, they form nearly one-third of the population. In the Doaba region, the figure rises to about 45%. As a result, Doaba’s 23 Assembly seats play a crucial role in state politics. The Dera Sachkhand at Ballan influences voters across several constituencies. Hence, Modi’s meeting with dera chief Sant Niranjan Dass sent a strong message. Additionally, the visit came days after the dera chief received the Padma Shri, which added symbolic significance.
Guru Ravidass Link Adds Cultural and Political Meaning
February 1 marked the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass, the 15th-century mystic-poet revered by the community. Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman referred to the occasion while opening her Budget speech. Later, during the Punjab visit, Modi renamed Adampur airport as ‘Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport’. Consequently, a long-pending demand of the Ravidassia community was fulfilled. Moreover, Modi linked Guru Ravidass’s teachings to the BJP’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision. For many Ravidassias, this gesture acknowledged their separate religious identity declared in 2010.
BJP Combines Dalit and Agrarian Outreach Strategy
The Dalit outreach forms part of a wider BJP plan in Punjab. Earlier, the party ended its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal in 2020. Since then, it has worked to build an independent presence. As a result, its vote share rose from 6.6% in the 2022 Assembly elections to 18.56% in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Encouraged by this trend, the party has intensified its efforts. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Punjab for a farmers’ rally. Together, these moves reflect a broader push ahead of the 2027 elections.
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