The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has denied rumours about the resignation of Sunil Jakhar as the president of its Punjab unit. Despite media reports suggesting otherwise, the party has not officially commented on the issue.
Jakhar, a prominent leader and the party's Hindu face in Punjab, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with his role. Sources within the party have indicated that he has been unhappy with certain internal matters and conveyed his concerns to the leadership. According to these sources, Jakhar informed the leadership that he felt constrained in his ability to work freely in his position.
Although Jakhar offered to step down, it is reported that the party leadership advised him to remain in his post until the next election for the role, which is expected to take place in December.
He reportedly agreed to this request. A senior party leader told media agencies that while Jakhar had expressed his intention to resign, the party valued his leadership and wanted him to continue for the time being. This development came after Jakhar returned from a month-long trip abroad.
Rumours about Jakhar’s dissatisfaction with the party gained momentum after he was absent from a key meeting he had called on Thursday. The meeting was intended to finalise the BJP's strategy for its ongoing membership drive in the state.
His absence led to speculation that he was boycotting the meeting in protest. However, party insiders were quick to dismiss these reports, explaining that Jakhar's non-attendance was due to prior engagements.
Harjit Singh Grewal, a senior BJP leader from Punjab, addressed the rumours during a media interview, calling them baseless. He explained that he had met Jakhar just days before and that the leader had not mentioned any intention to resign.
Grewal emphasised that Jakhar's absence from the meeting should not be seen as a sign of his discontent or dissatisfaction with the party leadership. According to Grewal, Jakhar’s absence was simply due to other commitments, and there was no connection between his non-attendance and any desire to step down from his position.
Sunil Jakhar's leadership role in the Punjab BJP is significant, given his political experience and strong presence in the state. He joined the BJP in May 2022 after a long career with the Congress party.
Jakhar was a key figure in Punjab’s Congress unit, having served as its president for four years before being replaced by Navjot Singh Sidhu in 2021. His departure from Congress came after the party's defeat in the 2022 Assembly elections, which triggered a wave of discontent within the party.
Before joining the BJP, Jakhar represented Gurdaspur in the Lok Sabha and served three terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Abohar. His straightforward approach and reputation for speaking his mind have earned him respect across party lines.
In July 2023, the BJP appointed him as the president of its Punjab unit, a move that was seen as a strategic step to strengthen the party's presence in the state ahead of future elections.
Jakhar’s leadership in Punjab is crucial for the BJP as it looks to expand its influence in the region, particularly following the political upheaval in the state. The party is focusing on building a stronger presence in Punjab, where it has traditionally been less dominant compared to other states in India. Jakhar’s experience and standing in Punjab politics are seen as assets to the party’s efforts to consolidate support ahead of the next electoral cycle.
As the BJP prepares for upcoming elections in Punjab, the party will be keen to ensure stability within its leadership ranks. While rumours of Jakhar’s resignation have been refuted by senior leaders, the speculation surrounding his future role highlights the challenges the party faces in maintaining unity and focus in a politically dynamic state like Punjab.
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