Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar was notably absent from a crucial party meeting held in Chandigarh on Monday, chaired by the state’s affairs in-charge Vijay Rupani. Jakhar’s absence has once again sparked rumours of his resignation, a topic that has been swirling in political circles for days.
Despite his absence adding fuel to the speculation, party leaders, including Rupani, have firmly denied these claims. Rupani stated that Jakhar remains committed to his role as the state president and had only missed the meeting due to “personal commitments” in Delhi. “Jakhar ji has not resigned. He is currently in Delhi on personal work and will resume his responsibilities shortly,” said Rupani, emphasizing that Jakhar’s leadership continues to be vital for the party.
Jakhar’s non-participation in today’s meeting has only intensified speculation that he may have offered to resign, following reports that he had earlier expressed his willingness to step down if the party leadership found his style of functioning misaligned with their goals. According to insiders, Jakhar had recently met BJP national president JP Nadda and discussed his potential departure from the post.
Though party leaders have repeatedly dismissed the idea of Jakhar stepping down, the fact that he has not made any public statements refuting these rumours has further fueled the uncertainty. Sources indicated that Jakhar has conveyed to senior party leaders, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several times that he is ready to resign if his leadership is not considered effective, but these discussions have remained private.
Adding to the intrigue is Jakhar’s absence from two earlier meetings held in Bathinda and Amritsar, which were organized to strategize for bypolls in the key constituencies of Barnala, Gidderbaha, Chabbewal, and Dera Baba Nanak. These constituencies will soon face by-elections following the resignation of sitting MLAs who have now assumed roles as MPs.
During Monday's meeting, chaired by Rupani, the focus was on shaping the BJP’s strategy for the upcoming by-elections and the local body polls. The party reviewed feedback from district-level leaders and assessed the political landscape, particularly in light of the ongoing farmer protests, which remain a challenge for the BJP in Punjab’s rural regions.
The first phase of the BJP’s membership drive, which concludes on Monday (September 30), was another key topic of discussion. The drive aimed at increasing the party’s presence across the state, and party leaders expressed optimism about the success of their outreach efforts. The second phase of this campaign is set to launch on October 1 (Tuesday), targeting a broader section of the electorate.
Despite the party’s reassurances, Jakhar’s absence continues to raise questions. His non-attendance at pivotal meetings, coupled with strategic silence combined with the persistent rumours of internal friction, has kept the spotlight on his future within the party. However, sources within the BJP indicated that any decision regarding Jakhar’s leadership is unlikely to be made until after the upcoming by-elections and polls in neighbouring states, including Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.
Party insiders suggested that the BJP is focused on the immediate electoral challenges and will reassess the situation after October 5, once these electoral processes have concluded. Jakhar’s leadership, while under scrutiny, may not face any official review until the results of these elections are in.
The by-elections for the four assembly constituencies — Barnala, Gidderbaha, Chabbewal, and Dera Baba Nanak — are seen as a crucial test for Punjab BJP, which is looking to strengthen its presence in the State. Historically, the party has struggled to gain significant traction in Punjab, and the bypolls are viewed as a critical opportunity to solidify its position. The constituencies, previously held by Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), became vacant after the MLAs resigned to take on roles as MPs.
The Road Ahead
Though Sunil Jakhar’s future as Punjab BJP president remains uncertain, the party leadership is keen to project stability. Vijay Rupani and other senior leaders stressed that Jakhar is very much still in charge and that his absence from today’s meeting should not be misinterpreted. They emphasized that Jakhar would soon rejoin party activities and continue to lead the BJP through the upcoming electoral challenges.
For now, the Punjab BJP’s attention is firmly on the upcoming bypolls and local body elections. As the party gears up for these key contests, the speculation surrounding Jakhar’s leadership remains in the background but is unlikely to disappear entirely until an official announcement is made.
The coming weeks are expected to be pivotal for both Sunil Jakhar and the Punjab BJP. Whether he continues to lead the party or steps aside, his absence from today’s meeting has kept the political rumour mill turning, leaving party workers and political observers waiting to see how the situation unfolds.
