Chandigarh, Aug. 7 -- With the BJP electing its 21 district presidents out of 37 organisational districts, 16 are those who have come from other parties, creating disappointment among the grassroot workers. The appointments, seen as an outreach to expand the BJP's base in the state, have triggered resentment among long-time party workers and grassroots cadres. Starting from Amritsar Rural, new district president Amritpal Bonny, a former SAD MLA and previous state head of BJP's Backward Class Morcha, has been handed the reins. Likewise, Hardeep Singh Gill, appointed to lead Amritsar Rural-2, joined the BJP only in 2023 after a stint with the SAD. The trend continues in Ferozepur, where Sarabjeet Singh Bath, who crossed over before the 2022 assembly elections, has been elevated. In Gurdaspur, new chief Baghel Singh has worn multiple political hats - previously with Congress till 2021 and then AAP ahead of 2022 assembly polls - before aligning with the BJP. Khanna district president Bhupinder Cheema had joined the BJP from SAD. He is the cousin of state unit general secretary Bikram Cheema. Gagandeep Sunny Kainth, who has been made BJP's district president from Jagraon. He is said to be close to Union minister of state Ravneet Bittu. Among the 21 appointments, only five district presidents are old-timers with roots firmly in the BJP. These include Suresh Sharma (Pathankot), Harsimrat Walia (Batala), Jagat Kathuria (Malerkotla), Sanjeev Vaishisht (Mohali) and Rajinder Pal Sharma (Jagraon). Many in the BJP argue that inducting seasoned politicians from other parties will help bolster the party's presence in Punjab. A former district president from Majha region said, "When Ashwani Sharma was made acting president, grassroot workers were happy as they were feeling neglected in the tenure of Sunil Jakhar. Now, once again party has preferred those who had joined party one or two years back." Ashwani Sharma, was not available for comments as he was said to be busy in party meetings....