Chandigarh: Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has expressed reservations over the Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to appoint Jat Sikh leader Keval Singh Dhillon as the party’s new Punjab president.
In an interview, Captain Amarinder Singh said Dhillon may not be the most suitable choice to lead the BJP in Punjab from a political standpoint. He also voiced displeasure over not being consulted before the appointment was finalised.
“Keval Dhillon is an old friend of mine, but friendship is one thing and political capability is another,” Amarinder said. He added that there was no need to replace former state BJP presidents Sunil Jakhar and Ashwani Sharma, claiming both leaders had been performing their responsibilities effectively.
The former Chief Minister further remarked that decision-making in the BJP is largely centralised. “In the BJP, decisions come from the top, whereas in the Congress, opinions were sought before taking such decisions,” he said.
Meanwhile, newly appointed Punjab BJP president Keval Singh Dhillon dismissed speculation about a possible alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Dhillon said the BJP would contest all 117 Assembly seats in Punjab on its own and ruled out any possibility of a pre-poll alliance with the Akali Dal. His remarks are being viewed as a clear indication that the party intends to strengthen its independent political base in the state following the end of its long-standing partnership with the Akali Dal.
