BJP made Kewal Singh Dhillon, who came from Congress 4 years ago, the state president, how did he give such a big responsibility a few months before the elections?

This time in the politics of Punjab, BJP has left the big face and placed a big bet on the grassroots leader. Under this strategy, the party has made Kewal Singh Dhillon the state president. The special thing is that Dhillon had left Congress and joined BJP about four years ago, but a few months before the assembly elections, the party handed him the biggest organizational responsibility of the state. In such a situation, the question is arising that why did BJP take such a big decision and how has been the political journey of Kewal Singh Dhillon.

Who is Kewal Singh Dhillon?

Kewal Singh Dhillon Punjab He is counted among the prominent Jat Sikh leaders of Malwa region. His political base is considered to be in Barnala and surrounding areas. He remained active in Congress politics for a long time and maintained a strong hold on everything from party organization to electoral politics.

Kewal Singh Dhillon has been recognized as a leader who has influence in rural Punjab, farming community and cooperative politics. He was also among the active faces in Punjab Congress during the Captain Amarinder Singh era. However, later, amid internal changes in Congress and leadership crisis, he distanced himself from the party.

Journey from Congress to BJP

Kewal Singh Dhillon In the year 2022, Kewal Singh Dhillon left Congress and joined BJP. At that time, Congress was struggling with internal strife in Punjab and many leaders were feeling uneasy after the resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh.

Dhillon, a grassroots leader of Malwa region, joining BJP was also considered important because at that time, BJP’s image in Punjab had weakened considerably due to agricultural laws. At such a time, the joining of a big leader with Sikh and farmer background in the party was a political message for BJP.

BJP also put him forward in the responsibilities of increasing dialogue between the organization and the farming community. The party continued to activate him in the Malwa belt, which is considered the most decisive area of ​​Punjab politics.

Why did BJP give such a big responsibility?

BJP in Punjab has long been considered limited to urban Hindu votes. The party now wants to present itself as the “All-Community Party of Punjab”. By putting forward a Jat Sikh face like Kewal Singh Dhillon, BJP wants to give the message that the party is ready to give a top role to the Sikh leadership also.

Malwa region is the region with the highest number of seats in Punjab politics. The real fight between Congress, AAP and Akali Dal also centers here. Dhillon’s influence is considered to be in this area, hence BJP is making him an important face of its election strategy.

BJP understands that expansion in Punjab is not possible on the basis of traditional vote bank alone. Dhillon comes from a Congress background and has an understanding of Sikh rural politics. The party hopes that he can influence the traditional voters of both Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal.

Before the elections, BJP wanted to bring forward such a leader who would not only be an organizational face but would also be active in the field. Dhillon is considered a “ground connect” leader. This is the reason why the party expressed confidence in him at the crucial time of election preparations.

BJP’s big political message

Making Kewal Singh Dhillon the state president is not just an organizational change but is being considered as a sign of BJP’s new strategy for Punjab politics. Along with Hindutva, the party is also trying to achieve Sikh representation, farmer politics and regional balance.

The election results will tell how much impact this decision has in the upcoming assembly elections, but it is certain that BJP has started presenting its politics in a new way in Punjab.

Who has more influence in Malwa?

Out of total 117 seats of Punjab Assembly, 69 seats come in Malwa region. This region includes 15 districts including Ludhiana, Bathinda, Patiala, Sangrur, Moga, Fazilka, Firozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot, Mansa, Barnala, Malerkotla, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali).

The Jat Sikh community has the most political and economic dominance in the Malwa belt. Apart from this, due to being a rural and agriculture based economy, the Dalit population and farmer unions also have a huge influence in the elections. In Malwa, which is considered the center of Punjab politics, most of the Chief Ministers are elected from this region.