The Punjab unit president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Sunil Jakhar, unveiled a list of 67 state office bearers, sparking a wave of discontent among existing BJP workers. Many have voiced resentment as the list predominantly features individuals who were previously affiliated with the Congress and the Akali parties, including unit head Sunil Jakhar. This has fueled speculation that veteran BJP members were deliberately excluded from the list.
Prominent among the appointees is Jai Inder Kaur, the daughter of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who has been entrusted with the role of Chief of Mahila Morcha. The revamped executive body of the Punjab BJP includes five state general secretaries, twelve state vice-presidents, twelve state secretaries, and four other officials, holding crucial positions.
Former government police officials from Jalandhar, KD Bhandari and Rajesh Bagga, have secured appointments as State Vice Presidents. Further, Rakesh Rathore has assumed the role of General Secretary, and Capt Amarinder Singh, Vijay Sampla, and Manoranjan Kalia have found places in the core committee.
The comprehensive list includes notable figures such as Union Minister Som Prakash, former BJP President Ashwini Sharma, Vijay Sampla, Manaranjana Kalia, Avinash Rai Khanna, Charanjit Singh Atwal, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Amanjot Kaur Ramuwalia, Tikshan Sud, Manpreet Singh Badal, Harjeet Singh Grewal, Kewal Singh Dhillon, Jangi Lal Mahajan, Raj Kumar Verka, Dinesh Babbu, Jiwan Gupta, Sarabjeet Singh Virk, Avinash Chandra, and S.P.S. Gill.
During a recent event, state BJP president Sunil Jakhar took the opportunity to wish the Prime Minister on his birthday. He also criticized the Punjab Chief Minister’s recent initiative to establish new police chowkis at focal points, interpreting it as a clear acknowledgment of the “non-existent” law and order situation prevailing in Punjab. Jakhar expressed concern that the deteriorating law and order situation could negatively affect the economic prospects of the state.
