New Delhi, June 3: Central Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu welcomed the appointment of Kewal Singh Dhillon as the new president of the Punjab BJP on Wednesday. He described this as a joyous occasion for the party and expressed confidence that it would strengthen the BJP’s presence in the state.
Upon Dhillon assuming office, Bittu remarked that this organizational change marks a significant moment for the party in Punjab.
He stated, “Today is a moment of great joy for both the BJP and Punjab. The party has entrusted this responsibility, and with the tenure of Jakhad Sahib as state president coming to an end, Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon from the Malwa region has been given this role.”
Emphasizing the party’s electoral aspirations in the state, he said, “Lotus is our symbol. The lotus is already blooming; now it must bloom in Punjab as well.”
Dhillon’s appointment is viewed as a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, aiming to expand the BJP’s base in the region.
According to party sources, Dhillon was chosen after extensive internal discussions, with three major contenders in the running, including former Punjab BJP president and MLA Ashwini Sharma, who is considered a prominent Hindu face in the state.
For many years, the BJP’s leadership in Punjab was predominantly in the hands of Hindu leaders. However, ahead of the elections, the party has attempted to broaden its appeal by promoting a Jat Sikh face. Dhillon’s appointment is seen in this context.
Notably, while Dayal Singh Sodhi served as the Punjab BJP president in 1997, Dhillon has become the first Jat Sikh to be appointed to this position within the party’s current organizational structure.
Several other senior leaders with significant political credibility in Punjab were also considered for this position. However, the party leadership ultimately endorsed Kewal Singh Dhillon’s name, indicating a crucial shift in the party’s state leadership strategy ahead of the electoral battle.
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