Chandigarh: Senior BJP leader and former Barnala MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon is expected to become the next president of the Punjab BJP, according to party sources familiar with the development.
The leadership change is likely to be announced soon as the term of current Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar approaches its conclusion in July. Sources indicated that Jakhar is expected to continue playing an important role in the party’s preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Party insiders said the BJP leadership has been considering appointing a Sikh face to strengthen the party’s outreach in Punjab, where the BJP has traditionally drawn most of its support from urban Hindu voters.
Dhillon’s name reportedly gained support from several influential leaders within both the BJP and ideological circles linked to the party. Sources claimed that BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh had backed the idea of appointing a Sikh leader to head the state organisation.
The former Congress MLA is known to share close ties with former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. Dhillon joined the BJP in 2022 following the Congress party’s defeat in the Punjab Assembly elections and was later appointed vice-president of the state BJP unit.
Political observers believe the BJP sees Dhillon’s experience and influence in the Malwa region as strategically important ahead of the next Assembly polls. The party is also expected to rely on his long-standing organisational experience to strengthen its cadre structure in rural Punjab.
Other Sikh leaders whose names were reportedly discussed for the post included Ravneet Singh Bittu, Manpreet Singh Badal and Jagmohan Raju.
Dhillon represented Barnala in the Punjab Assembly from 2007 to 2017 before losing the seat to AAP leader Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer.
The BJP is currently working to expand its political base in Punjab independently after ending its long-standing alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal in 2020.
