Half of districts lack presidents and organisation structure
Chandigarh, December 23, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) : As the clock ticks towards the Punjab assembly elections scheduled for early 2027, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is navigating a period of significant internal disarray, marked by a protracted leadership vacuum, factional discord and a stalled organizational overhaul that has left its cadres confused and demoralized.
The core of the crisis stems from a six month void in the critical position of the party’s Punjab affairs in-charge, a key liaison between the state unit and the central leadership. The role has remained unfilled since the tragic demise of senior leader Vijay Rupani in Air India plane crash in June. This absence has exacerbated existing tensions between the party’s old guard and newer entrants from other political outfits, with no authoritative figure to bridge the divide.
Compounding the uncertainty is an unresolved transition at the top of the state unit. While Sunil Jakhar remains the state president, he has reportedly submitted his resignation months ago, which has not been formally accepted. Party insiders note his absence from key organizational meetings, even as he continues to lead public attacks on political opponents. His designated successor, working president Ashwani Sharma, is yet to be empowered fully, with his authority reportedly circumscribed by a strained relationship with the state organizational secretary.
“This lack of clarity over who is heading the state unit has severely affected the party’s functioning. It has demoralized the cadre,” a senior party leader stated on condition of anonymity.
The ripple effects of this leadership impasse are tangible. The crucial process of appointing district presidents, essential for poll preparedness, is stalled. Nearly half of the state’s 35 organizational districts currently operate without appointed presidents. This organizational weakness has translated into poor electoral performances, including a dismal showing in the Tarn Taran assembly bypoll managing only 6,229 votes and a lack of traction in recent rural body polls.
Adding to the chorus of discontent, former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, now with the BJP, has publicly complained about being sidelined in party decisions. His close aide admitted the situation has weakened the party’s strategic posture to counter both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress.
Despite the internal challenges, Jakhar has publicly framed the party’s goal as winning public confidence, not just votes. Both he and Captain Amarinder have advocated for a renewed alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal, citing the resurgence of forces they consider inimical to Punjab’s interests. This stance, however, is not universally held within the party. Several senior BJP leaders, particularly from its traditional ideological base, have privately and occasionally publicly voiced strong opposition to re-aligning with the Akalis. They argue that the BJP must build an independent identity in Punjab and that an alliance would alienate a significant portion of its core support.
However, with the party’s internal machinery sputtering and ranks divided on fundamental strategy, any grand political plan remains contingent on first resolving the leadership question that currently paralyzes its Punjab unit.
