BJP's Jakhar Seeks Ban on Kejriwal, Sisodia Entering Punjabਜਾਖੜ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਕੇਜਰੀਵਾਲ, ਸਿਸੋਦੀਆ ਦੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾਖ਼ਲੇ 'ਤੇ ਪਾਬੰਦੀ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ

Punjab BJP leader Sunil Jakhar said on Thursday that his party is exploring legal options to keep Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia out of Punjab, as the BJP stepped up its law-and-order attack on the Bhagwant Mann government ahead of the February 2027 assembly polls. The AAP has not publicly responded to the demand in the reports reviewed.

What did Jakhar say about Kejriwal and Sisodia?

According to ANI, carried by Hindustan Times, Jakhar said he intends to approach the High Court or even the Supreme Court, calling it a constitutional issue, to seek a ban on the entry of both leaders into Punjab. The Indian Express reported that he spoke of seeking their externment, citing what he described as inflammatory statements by Sisodia that, he alleged, are disturbing the state's atmosphere. These are Jakhar's allegations and plans; no court petition had been reported at the time of writing.

What else did the BJP allege?

Jakhar also said he is writing to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and that a BJP delegation will meet the Election Commission, asking for the Model Code of Conduct to be enforced early. He said he had received a call just before the press conference about a 16-year-old boy who allegedly died of drug abuse in Jalalabad, Fazilka district, and claimed the boy's father had also died of drug-related causes. That claim comes from Jakhar and was not independently confirmed in the reports.

BJP MP Tarun Chugh, who joined him, alleged that law and order has collapsed, referring to reported grenade attacks on police stations and a rocket launcher attack on Punjab Police headquarters, and calling Punjab the "crime capital of India". These are political allegations.

How is the government responding?

In the same ANI report, Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema spoke about stubble burning, saying the practice has almost ceased in the state. The report did not carry a government reply to the externment demand. Earlier this week an Abohar magistrate refused permission for the Jakhar family trust's anti-drug marathon, planned for November 1, citing the law-and-order situation, which Jakhar has used to argue his case.

Can a political leader be barred from entering a state?

Externment orders are normally used against people accused of crimes, and a ban on a national party leader would face a high legal bar. Whether any court takes up the plea remains to be seen.

When are the Punjab assembly elections?

They are due in February 2027, according to Hindustan Times.

Has the Model Code of Conduct come into force?

No. It ordinarily applies only after the Election Commission announces the poll schedule, and the BJP is asking for it to be applied earlier.