Chandigarh: Amid dissent within its state unit and renewed speculation over a possible reunion with SAD ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon met party national president Nitin Nabin to discuss election preparations and organisational issues.The meeting came against the backdrop of fresh speculation about a possible BJP-SAD reunion following SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal‘s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. SAD on Saturday also extended support to Women’s Reservation Bill, besides supporting Union govt’s proposal to increase parliamentary seats by 50% in all states, adding to speculation about a possible revival of the alliance. The two parties, which had been allies for more than two decades and jointly governed Punjab from 1997 to 2002 and again from 2007 to 2017, ended their alliance in Sept 2020 over the now-repealed farm laws.According to party sources, the Punjab BJP leaders presented their roadmap for the 2027 elections and briefed the national leadership on the party’s organisational plans. The meeting was also a follow-up to Union home minister Amit Shah‘s preliminary discussions with the Punjab BJP leadership on election preparations. The discussions included issues to be raised against Aam Aadmi Party govt, plans for public rallies and political programmes, and efforts to strengthen the party’s booth-level organisation and grassroots outreach. Despite the buzz over a possible alliance with SAD, the state leadership has been asked to prepare for the elections across all 117 Assembly constituencies, including shortlisting potential candidates for each seat.The recent organisational reshuffle in Punjab BJP and the resentment expressed by some party leaders also figured in the discussions, according to sources. The composition of the new state executive was also discussed.The organisational changes have led to dissent among sections of senior leaders and long-time party workers. Some have accused the state leadership of sidelining the old cadre and raised objections to the manner in which the reshuffle was carried out. Earlier this month, former Punjab minister and senior BJP leader Tikshan Sud, along with several local office-bearers in Hoshiarpur, announced that they would resign from their organisational posts in protest against the reshuffle, while retaining party membership. They had objected to what they described as an abrupt organisational change.Punjab BJP spokesperson Vineet Joshi, however, said the meeting with the national president had been scheduled in advance and should not be linked to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the meeting was focused on the party’s preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections. Joshi also dismissed reports of discontent among a section of party leaders over the recent organisational reshuffle.
