As the Bharatiya Janata Party quietly prepares for the political battles leading up to the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, a major organisational change appears to be taking shape behind the scenes. Former Barnala MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon is expected to be appointed as the new president of the Punjab BJP, a move that signals the party’s growing focus on reshaping its image and strengthening its hold among Sikh voters in the state.
Sources familiar with the developments say the party leadership has almost finalised Dhillon’s name, and an official announcement could come anytime in the coming days. Though discussions within the Punjab BJP have been going on for weeks, the final decision reflects a broader strategy being worked out by the party’s central leadership ahead of the next Assembly polls.
For the BJP, Punjab remains one of the most politically challenging states in the country. Ever since its long-standing alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal collapsed, the party has struggled to build an independent support base strong enough to compete directly with regional players like the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and SAD. The leadership now believes that projecting a credible Sikh face at the top could help the party connect better with voters across rural Punjab.
Kewal Singh Dhillon’s possible elevation is being seen as part of that strategy.
At 75, Dhillon is considered an experienced political figure with deep roots in Punjab politics. Born in Tallewal village of Barnala district, he remained associated with the Congress for decades and represented Barnala as MLA from 2007 to 2017. During his time in the Congress, he built strong organisational networks and maintained influence across the Malwa belt, which continues to play a decisive role in Punjab elections.
Even after losing the 2017 Assembly election to AAP leader Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Dhillon remained politically active. In 2022, after the Congress suffered a crushing defeat in Punjab, he joined the BJP along with several other senior leaders who shifted sides following the changing political landscape in the state.
Soon after joining the BJP, Dhillon was appointed vice-president of the Punjab BJP unit. Party insiders say he gradually gained the confidence of both the state leadership and the central leadership because of his calm organisational style and his ability to maintain relationships across political lines.
His close association with former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh is also being viewed as an important factor behind his likely appointment. Capt Amarinder, who later joined the BJP after forming the Punjab Lok Congress, still carries influence in sections of Punjab politics, particularly in the Malwa region. Dhillon is considered one of his trusted associates and someone who understands the state’s political dynamics beyond party boundaries.
Interestingly, the push for a Sikh president within the Punjab BJP had reportedly been growing stronger over the past several months. Senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh is believed to have strongly advocated the need for Sikh leadership in Punjab if the party wants to seriously expand before 2027. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who has been actively participating in Punjab BJP programmes and rallies in recent months, is also said to have supported the idea.
There were several other names being discussed for the top post. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, Jagmohan Raju, Manjit Singh Rai and former finance minister Manpreet Badal were all considered during internal discussions. However, party sources suggest Dhillon eventually emerged as the consensus choice because of his political experience, administrative understanding and grassroots connect.
The expected leadership change also comes as the tenure of current Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar nears its end in July. Jakhar played an important role in stabilising the BJP organisation during a politically difficult phase after joining the party from the Congress. While he may no longer remain state president, sources indicate he will continue to have a major role in shaping the BJP’s campaign strategy for the 2027 elections.
Within BJP circles, there is a growing belief that Punjab politics may witness a major realignment over the next two years. The party understands that rebuilding its structure in the state will require more than aggressive campaigning. It needs leaders who can connect with rural voters, farmers, Sikh communities and traditional Congress supporters who feel politically unsettled after recent shifts in Punjab politics.
That is where leaders like Kewal Singh Dhillon become politically significant.
Unlike leaders who rely heavily on social media visibility or television debates, Dhillon has largely built his political career through organisational work and personal outreach. BJP leaders believe that approach may help the party strengthen its booth-level structure and slowly improve its acceptance in areas where it has historically remained weak.
The move also reflects how seriously the BJP is taking the Punjab challenge ahead of 2027. While the party may still have a long road ahead in the state, the decision to bring a senior Sikh leader to the forefront indicates that the BJP is now attempting a more localised and Punjab-specific political strategy rather than depending entirely on national narratives.
Whether that strategy translates into electoral success remains to be seen, but within Punjab BJP ranks, the expected appointment of Kewal Singh Dhillon is already being viewed as the beginning of a new political chapter.