Chandigarh, May 29 -- In a surprise organisational overhaul ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday appointed former Congress MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon as its new state unit president. The 76-year-old businessman-turned-politician replaces Sunil Jakhar, marking a historic shift for the saffron party as it installs its first-ever Jat Sikh chief in Punjab. Dhillon's elevation, barely four years after he left the Congress and joined the BJP, is a bid to woo the politically dominant Jat-Sikh community. Historically, the BJP's electoral fortunes in Punjab have relied almost entirely on the urban Hindu community, which makes up roughly 42% of the state's electorate. In the 2022 assembly elections, the party managed to secure just two seats in the 117-member state assembly. However, operating without its erstwhile ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the party is forced to aggressively expand its rural footprint. BJP insiders say that placing a Sikh leader at the helm is a calculated move to shed the party's perception as an exclusively urban, Hindu-centric outfit. The decision was finalised after weeks of consultations between the central leadership and state functionaries. Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, who has been active in Punjab politics over recent months, was among the key figures backing a Sikh face. However, the appointment has triggered resentment within the BJP ranks. Sources say that the party's organisation secretary, Manthari Shrinivasullu, single-handedly drove Dhillon's appointment. This ran counter to the counsel of most senior state leaders, who warned against drifting away from the BJP's core Hindu voter base. Consequently, a section of home-grown BJP leaders are reportedly miffed by the decision. Adding to the internal tension, former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has strongly denied reports suggesting that he had backed Dhillon for the state president post. Dhillon, who joined the BJP in 2022 alongside a faction loyal to Amarinder, is frequently described in media circles as the former CM's close aide, a label Amarinder rejected. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Amarinder revealed that Dhillon had neither met nor contacted him since he was removed as Punjab chief minister in 2021. "Neither has he called me nor met me at any function. The media often terms him as my confidant. Everyone poses to be a close confidant whenever you are a chief minister," he said. The former chief minister, who merged his party, the Punjab Lok Congress, with the BJP after the 2022 Punjab assembly elections, refrained from making any direct comment on Dhillon's elevation, but raised questions regarding his electoral track record. "Frankly speaking, he has lost four consecutive elections and had won only twice. When elections are round the corner you need a person who can fight for the cadre. The party must have pondered over all these issues before making the announcement," Amarinder said. Dhillon's rise underscores the BJP's controversial strategy of outsourcing its leadership. Since 2022, the party has aggressively poached talent from the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal to build rural credibility, fast-tracking Dhillon to vice-president before he clinched the top spot on Thursday. Outgoing chief Sunil Jakhar, who took over in July 2023, is credited with rebuilding the party structure and managing high-profile defections. Yet, his tenure was plagued by internal dissent. While Jakhar is expected to remain relevant-potentially as the campaign committee chief-his replacement signals a restructuring of power. The move leaves other ambitions in limbo. The political fate of Ashwani Sharma, appointed as working president earlier this year under the assumption that he would permanently succeed Jakhar, now hangs in the balance. The outgoing state party chief thanked the workers and leaders for the support and said he will continue to work with the same commitment and dedication as always. "Serving as the president of Punjab BJP has been a matter of great honour and responsibility. Party's strength has always rested in its karyakartas, leaders and supporters across the state, whose commitment and cooperation made this tenure meaningful and memorable. My bond with Punjab, its people and the organisation has always gone far beyond any post or responsibility for me, and that connection will continue with the same warmth, commitment and dedication as always," Jakhar said. Political analysts view the reshuffle as a high-risk piece of social engineering. By appointing Dhillon, the BJP is aiming directly at the rural Malwa region, a traditional blind spot where the party has historically failed to make inroads. Taking a jibe at the BJP, chief minister Bhagwant Mann said the party had rewarded a "defeated leader." "Congratulations to Congress-turned-BJP leader Kewal Singh Dhillon, who was defeated by the people of Barnala in 2017, 2019, and 2024, on becoming the BJP president. Heartfelt sympathies to Sunil Jakhar. May God give strength to Ravneet Bittu, Manpreet Badal, Fatehjang Bajwa, Tarun Chugh, and Ashwani Sharma to bear this humiliation," Mann said in a post on X. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the BJP has announced its "surrender" in the Punjab elections. "By merely declaring Dhillon Ji as the state president, the BJP has effectively announced its surrender in the Punjab elections. The BJP's election campaign in Punjab will now be limited solely to ED and CBI raids. And from the last few raids, the BJP has already seen that Punjabis aren't scared of these petty little raids," Kejriwal said in a post on X. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also attacked the BJP, alleging organisational weakness in the state. "The party that is daydreaming about forming the government in Punjab could not find anyone worth it from its own stable to lead the state. The party is left with no option but to outsource even its state presidents," he said. Congress MP from Chandigarh Manish Tewari also said Punjab can only find former Congressmen to appoint as state presidents. "It is a telling comment of the state of @BJP4India in Punjab that they can only find former Congressmen to appoint as state presidents," he wrote on X. Responding to Tewari's post, BJP national general secretary BL Santhosh said there was no place for men of calibre in the Indian National Congress (INC). He wrote, "& it's a known fact that there is no place for men with calibre in @INCIndia." In a follow-up post, Tewari replied, "Thank you for candidly acknowledging that Congressmen, current or former, have calibre. My heartiest congratulations to @KewalDhillonPB @blsanthosh."...