Internal Crisis Deepens in BJP’s Punjab Unit: State President Sunil Jakhar Skips Key Meetings Amid Discontent

Internal Crisis Deepens in BJP’s Punjab Unit: State President Sunil Jakhar Skips Key Meetings Amid Discontent

Saptrishi Soni:

The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is grappling with internal discord as its state president, Sunil Jakhar, continues to stay away from important party meetings, further fueling speculation about his dissatisfaction with the party’s internal dynamics. According to sources, Jakhar is reportedly unhappy with how he has been treated within the party, particularly in light of the prominent position given to fellow party member Bittu, a former Congress leader who was recently made a Union Minister in the Modi government.

The leadership crisis in the BJP’s Punjab unit has deepened as Sunil Jakhar, a prominent leader who was brought in to strengthen the party’s position in the state, has distanced himself from crucial meetings. Most notably, Jakhar did not attend a significant state-level meeting convened by Vijay Rupani, the BJP’s state affairs incharge, on Monday. This is the latest in a series of such incidents where Jakhar has skipped meetings, leading to widespread speculation about his future in the party.

Sources within the party reveal that Jakhar, who has resigned from his post as state president, is upset over the prominence given to leaders who recently defected from the Congress. The appointment of Bittu as a Union Minister, despite his relatively recent entry into the BJP, is seen as a key factor contributing to Jakhar’s discontent. Bittu, a former Congress leader, was elevated to a high-ranking position, which many believe has sidelined long-serving BJP members like Jakhar.

The BJP’s Punjab unit has also been struggling to expand its grassroots presence, with growing dissatisfaction among party workers over the distribution of tickets in recent elections. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, 11 out of the 13 BJP candidates were former Congress leaders, which did not sit well with the party’s loyal base. Many workers feel that these defectors were given undue importance, while long-time BJP supporters were overlooked.

This discontent among the grassroots has made it difficult for the Punjab BJP to build momentum on the ground. Jakhar, who was tasked with revitalizing the state unit, has reportedly faced challenges in managing this growing unrest, further complicating his role as the state president.

Despite widespread rumors of his resignation, Vijay Rupani maintained at a media conference that Sunil Jakhar had not formally stepped down as the state president and was simply busy with “party work” in New Delhi. However, Jakhar’s conspicuous absence from Rupani’s meeting raised concerns within the party. The issue of Jakhar’s non-attendance was briefly discussed during the meeting with state organization secretaries, though no official statement was made regarding his resignation.

The Punjab BJP leadership appears to be in a state of limbo as top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP national president JP Nadda, are expected to take a final decision regarding Jakhar’s future as the state president. If Jakhar indeed steps down, the party will face the challenge of finding a suitable replacement who can steer the party through these turbulent times.

As the BJP gears up for future electoral battles in Punjab, the internal crisis within the party is a significant setback. The party had hoped to strengthen its presence in the state, particularly after forming alliances with former Congress leaders. However, the rift between long-standing BJP members and these new entrants has created a deep divide, making it harder for the party to build a cohesive unit.

Jakhar’s potential resignation also raises questions about the BJP’s leadership strategy in Punjab. While defectors from the Congress have brought some electoral strength to the party, they have also disrupted the internal balance of power, creating dissatisfaction among senior BJP leaders and party workers.

If the top leadership of the BJP fails to address these internal issues, it could severely impact the party’s performance in the upcoming state and national elections. The BJP will need to not only manage the internal discord but also work on reconnecting with its traditional voter base to regain momentum in Punjab.

The BJP’s internal crisis in Punjab, highlighted by Sunil Jakhar’s absence from key meetings and growing dissatisfaction among party workers, underscores the challenges the party faces in maintaining unity. With the top leadership yet to make a formal decision, the fate of the Punjab unit remains uncertain. As the party navigates these troubled waters, its ability to reconcile internal differences will be critical to its success in future elections.

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