Exclusive Interview: Anurag Sason in Conversation with Sanjay Tandon on Punjab 2027, BJP-SAD Alliance, Chandigarh Polls and Drug Menace | WATCH
Sanjay Tandon interview: In an exclusive interaction with veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sanjay Tandon, journalist Anurag Sason has an in-depth conversation on a wide range of topics, covering everything from the 2027 Punjab Assembly Elections to the drug menace in the state to the 2026 Chandigarh Municipal Corporation polls.
A CA by profession, Tandon is a former co-in-charge of BJP Himachal and former president of BJP Chandigarh. He has also co-authored seven books with his wife, Priya S. Tandon.
Below are some excerpts from the exclusive interview. Scroll down to watch the full conversation in Hindi on YouTube.
Q1) The 2026 Chandigarh Municipal Corporation election is around the corner. Will BJP retain power?
Sanjay Tandon: BJP is a party that works around the clock. We will not let any stone be left unturned. There are 35 wards in Chandigarh, and I feel that we will be victorious in 30+ seats.
Q2) Will the BJP project a mayoral face before the elections?
Sanjay Tandon: In Chandigarh Municipal Corporation election no party reveals mayor face. Because we have five mayors in five years. First year is reserved for women, second year is for general, third for scheduled caste, fourth for female and fifth for general. So after the poll, the name comes forward.
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Q3) Mayor is elected every year in Chd MC; Do you think the term should be extended to 3 years or 5 years?
Sanjay Tandon: There are different systems in India. In Chandigarh, talks are going on that one year is too little. We will talk to the centre to increase the tenure to 2.5 years.
Q4) Should the mayor be directly elected?
Sanjay Tandon: If the mayor is elected directly by the people, his accountability to the councillors is limited.
Q5) Delhi is also a Union Territory, yet it has an elected Chief Minister and Legislative Assembly. Can we follow this setup in Chandigarh?
Sanjay Tandon: There are two things – If Chandigarh has its own CM and Legislative Assembly, things will be easy, and decision-making will be swift. But the area and population of this UT is too small for having a setup like Delhi. Additionally, there will be increased pressure on the public exchequer.
Q6) Mr Tandon, the Supreme Court has upheld restrictions on percentage-based property transfers to prevent apartmentalisation of the UT. However, residents of the area also have genuine financial and inheritance-related needs. What is your take on this?
Sanjay Tandon: Watch the interview.
Q7) 2027 Punjab polls are inching closer? Will the BJP come to the state?
Sanjay Tandon: People in Punjab are troubled! Drugs are everywhere. Punjab is getting behind. Development work has stopped. The state has seen Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and Aam Aadmi Party’s government. Now, people want the Bharatiya Janata Party’s government!
Q8) Will SAD-BJP alliance be formed again?
Sanjay Tandon: Our alliance with the SAD was very old. In 2020, at the time of the central farm bills, Shiromani Akali Dal decided to part ways. BJP has not broken the alliance. Now, both parties’ top leaders will decide on this!
Q9) Drug menace in Punjab is too serious. Reportedly, drugs come from across the borders. At the borders, the army and BSF are both under the Centre, so how are the drugs coming in?
Sanjay Tandon: Technology is increasing day by day. One can send a product anywhere with the help of a drone! Every day someone is caught. However, how much penetration is there that needs to be probed!
Watch the interview for rapid-fire questions with Sanjay Tandon.
SANJAY TANDON’s EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JOURNALIST ANURAG SASON
About the author: Anurag Sason is an Indian journalist with experience in mainstream journalism. He has worked in newspaper, news agency, TV, news app (short video sharing app) and digital media. He tweets at @AnuragSason
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