Punjab BJP eyes ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh-style governance’ under new chief Kewal Singh Dhillon
A ceremonial function was held to mark the occasion, during which prayers were offered and Dhillon officially took charge.
In a major organisational reshuffle ahead of crucial Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday appointed former Congress leader and Captain Amarinder Singh loyalist Kewal Singh Dhillon as Punjab BJP president, while in Haryana, the party handed over the command to senior party leader and radiologist Dr Archana Gupta.
The twin appointments are being viewed as part of the BJP’s broader political strategy to strengthen its social outreach in both states before the next Assembly elections. While the party has projected Dhillon as a prominent Sikh face in Punjab ahead of the 2027 polls, the Haryana BJP has attempted to send a message of women’s empowerment and organisational continuity through Archana Gupta’s elevation.
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In Punjab, the BJP replaced Sunil Jakhar with Kewal Singh Dhillon, a Jat Sikh leader from Barnala who joined the BJP four years ago after quitting the Congress. Dhillon is considered a close confidant of former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who is regarded as one of the BJP’s key political strategists in the state.
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Party insiders believe the BJP’s decision to appoint Dhillon is aimed at expanding its appeal among Sikh voters, particularly in the politically decisive Malwa belt, which accounts for 69 of Punjab’s 117 Assembly seats. The BJP has long faced criticism from rivals over lacking a strong Sikh leadership face in Punjab politics.
Political observers say the move also signals the BJP’s intention to aggressively prepare for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections by balancing caste and religious equations. Dhillon’s appointment is expected to help the party counter the perception that it remains largely dependent on Hindu urban voters in the state.
Soon after his appointment, Dhillon asserted that the BJP would emerge victorious in Punjab in 2027. “In 2027, the lotus will bloom in Punjab, and the BJP will form the government. The entire BJP is united. We will work together. After West Bengal, now it is Punjab’s turn,” he said.
The appointment is also being seen as an attempt to bring Captain Amarinder Singh back into active electoral strategy discussions. Sources in the party said Amarinder had been unhappy over not being adequately consulted on Punjab affairs after joining the BJP. By appointing his close associate, the BJP is expected to leverage the former Chief Minister’s political experience and influence in the state.
Outgoing Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar congratulated Dhillon and said he was confident the organisation would become stronger under the new leadership. Jakhar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the party’s central leadership for their guidance during his tenure.
Meanwhile, in Haryana, the BJP appointed Dr Archana Gupta as the new state president, making her the first woman to head Haryana BJP in 43 years after Dr Kamla Verma in 1980.
A gold medal-winning radiologist from Panipat, Gupta replaces Mohan Lal Badoli, who had been serving as Haryana BJP chief since July 2024. Her appointment is being viewed as both an organisational and symbolic decision by the BJP.
Party leaders say Gupta represents a blend of professional credibility, women’s leadership, and grassroots organisational work. Before entering active politics, she was associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Indian Health Line initiative and later rose steadily through the BJP Mahila Morcha and district-level politics.
She became Panipat BJP district president in 2020, becoming the first woman to hold the post, and was elevated as Haryana BJP general secretary in 2023.
Political analysts believe the BJP selected Gupta to strengthen its urban middle-class and Vaishya voter outreach while also reinforcing its narrative around women leadership ahead of future elections. She is also considered close to Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and the BJP organisation.
Soon after taking charge, Gupta spoke to outgoing chief Mohan Lal Badoli over the phone and thanked him, saying, “Namaskar Adhyaksh Ji, thank you very much. This is a plant nurtured by you.”
Apart from Punjab and Haryana, the BJP also announced new state presidents in Delhi and Tripura. Former MP Harsh Malhotra was appointed Delhi BJP chief, while Abhishek Debroy was named the new party president in Tripura.
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