Former Barnala MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon has been appointed as the new Punjab BJP president. The party has officially named him as the new state BJP president.
Dhillon, who was earlier with the Congress, joined the BJP in 2022. He is considered close to former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and is seen as an influential Jat Sikh leader in the Malwa region.
The 75-year-old BJP leader was born in Tallewal village in Barnala district. He also served as MLA from Barnala between 2007 and 2017.
He was earlier working as vice-president of the Punjab BJP after joining the party. His organisational experience and political background are expected to help the party strengthen its base ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
At present, Sunil Jakhar was heading the Punjab BJP unit. His three-year term was nearing completion in July, and but he will lead the party’s next year’s state Assembly elections.
It is learnt that BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, Punjab's voice in the party’s central leadership, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini have been pushing to appoint a Sikh leader to head the state unit. The move marks a strategic shift for the BJP, which has historically relied on a Hindu leadership base and core support structure in Punjab.
Dhillon’s appointment is viewed as an important organisational change for the Punjab BJP as it prepares for the next Assembly elections.
Follow us
