Newly appointed Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon formally assumed charge as the chief of the party’s state unit on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a new leadership phase for the BJP in the state, ahead of the crucial Assembly elections scheduled for early next year.
Dhillon, a veteran politician and prominent Sikh face of the party, was appointed as the Punjab BJP president on May 28. His elevation to the top post is being viewed as a strategic move by the BJP as it seeks to strengthen its position in Punjab and expand its support base across the state.
A number of senior BJP leaders and dignitaries attended the charge-taking ceremony. Among those present were Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, national secretary Narinder Singh Raina, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma, and senior party leader Iqbal Singh Lalpura. Their presence underscored the importance the party attaches to Punjab ahead of the upcoming electoral battles.
Addressing party workers and leaders at the event, Tarun Chugh exuded confidence about the BJP’s prospects in Punjab. He asserted that the party would form the government in the state following the 2027 Assembly elections. Chugh said people across Punjab were increasingly looking towards the BJP as an alternative and expressed confidence that the party would contest all 117 Assembly constituencies with full strength.
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At 76, Dhillon remains one of the most influential political figures from Punjab’s politically significant Malwa belt, which accounts for 69 of the 117 Assembly seats and often plays a decisive role in determining the outcome of state elections. His extensive political experience and strong regional influence are expected to be key assets for the BJP.
An industrialist-turned-politician, Dhillon is widely credited with helping bring PepsiCo to Punjab during the 1980s. At a time when militancy had created a challenging environment for investment and industrial growth, his efforts were seen as instrumental in attracting one of the country's most significant corporate investments to the state.
Dhillon also has a long political career behind him. A former two-time MLA from Barnala, he won both Assembly elections while representing the Congress party. In 2022, he joined the BJP and was later appointed vice-president of the party’s Punjab unit. Since then, he has emerged as one of the BJP’s prominent leaders in the state.
Dhillon succeeds Sunil Jakhar as Punjab BJP president. Jakhar’s three-year tenure as state party chief is scheduled to conclude in July. With Dhillon now at the helm, the BJP is expected to intensify its organisational efforts and election preparations as it gears up for the next round of electoral contests in Punjab.
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