Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address a rally at Jalandhar in poll-bound Punjab on Monday, as per ANI. This marks the Prime Minister’s first return to the state since the security breach faced by his convoy in January. 

On February 16 and 17, the PM is also scheduled to visit Malwa, Doaba, and Majha. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government released its manifesto on February 12, promising 75% reservation in government jobs for the state’s youngsters. Further, it promised enormous infrastructural development and a 35% reservation for women in government jobs as well. 

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Punjab goes to vote on February 20, in a single phase, and votes will be counted on March 10. This 117-seat assembly election will be contested by the BJP in alliance with the Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) and the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Notably, the Punjab Lok Congress is headed by former Chief Minister of the state, Captain Amarinder Singh. 

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When Modi visited Punjab the last time, he was scheduled to address a rally at Ferozpur. However, protestors blocked the highway, stalling the PM’s convoy for 15-20 minutes, and causing a security breach. Naturally, the PM returned dissatisfied with his incomplete visit. 

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The incident led to fingers being pointed at Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and the Congress party which formed the government in the state, following the 2017 assembly elections. The party clinched an absolute majority of 77 seats, ousting the SAD-BJP alliance that’d remained in power for 10 years.  

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Referring to the incident, Union Minister Amit Shah had said that accountability should be attached since such a lapse in security is unacceptable. The Congress too responded saying that the PM’s plans were changed at the last moment and alleged the BJP government claimed security lapse due to lesser crowd turnout.