BJP preparing for all 117 Punjab seats, says Nitin Nabin

BJP president Nitin Nabin on Saturday said the party is preparing for all 117 assembly seats in Punjab ahead of the upcoming elections, and a decision on a possible alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal would be taken at the appropriate time. In an interview with IANS, Nabin alleged that the Congress and AAP governments had failed the state, citing drug abuse, women's safety and deteriorating law and order, and said the BJP saw an opportunity from the failures of the two parties.

Nabin credited India's youth for the country's growing global presence, saying more than two lakh startups reflected their role as job creators. He described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years in governance as a period of service and 'tapasya', and said around 25 crore people had come out of poverty. Nabin also accused Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of being used as a 'toolkit' to destabilise the country, and urged him to raise issues in Parliament.

Update, 7 November 2026: The Hans India now also reports the same interview, adding that Nabin said Modi had proved 'pro-incumbency' and that earlier soldiers were beheaded but now no one dares raise eyes towards India. It also notes that Rahul Gandhi had earlier questioned the absence of anti-incumbency against the BJP at a September press conference.