Punjab BJP’s party is battling a fresh round of internal turmoil, just months before the state goes to the assembly polls in early 2027. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Punjab unit is dealing with a revolt among old guard workers, even as speculation swirls over a possible tie up with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The developments come at a time when the party is trying to expand its footprint in a state where it has traditionally relied on an ally to win seats.
What is happening inside Punjab BJP’s party right now?
The trouble began after Satish Poonia, a Rajya Sabha MP and the BJP’s central observer tasked with overseeing the Punjab revamp, asked the state unit for a fresh list of office bearers. However, the list prepared by the state unit was later allegedly altered in Delhi, with some names added and others removed. This led to resentment among workers who found their names missing after years of service to the party.
As a result, Punjab BJP’s party has already replaced six district presidents, in Hoshiarpur, Faridkot, Khanna, Muktsar and Sangrur, only to face pushback soon after. The unrest prompted BJP national president Nitin Nabin to step in. He directed state president Kewal Singh Dhillon to “take everyone along” as the party works through its organisational challenges in the poll bound state.
Why was Satish Poonia given charge of Punjab BJP’s party?
Poonia was handed responsibility for Punjab’s organisational overhaul after the state unit had functioned without a dedicated in charge since June 2025. The previous in charge, former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, died in the Air India AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. Poonia, who also serves as the BJP’s Haryana in charge, was seen as a key strategist behind the party’s Haryana assembly win in 2024.
His task in Punjab BJP’s party has been described as a full organisational reset, involving new district presidents followed by state organisation ministers and vice presidents. Kewal Singh Dhillon took over as Punjab BJP president on May 28, 2026, succeeding Sunil Jakhar.
Did Sukhbir Badal’s meeting with PM Modi signal an SAD BJP alliance?
On August 7, 2026, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sansad Bhavan in New Delhi. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes. Neither the SAD nor the BJP issued an official statement afterwards, but the meeting triggered fresh speculation about a possible revival of the old SAD BJP alliance, which broke down in September 2020 over the farm laws.
Adding to the buzz, the SAD later demanded quick implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill and the delimitation exercise, a notable shift from its earlier position that had opposed delimitation as being against Punjab’s interests.
Did Nayab Singh Saini confirm an alliance with SAD?
No. On August 10, 2026, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who has been leading the BJP’s Punjab campaign, ruled out any alliance with the SAD. Speaking to reporters, Saini said in Punjabi, “Nahi, aise koyi gall nahi hai,” meaning there is no such thing.
Saini added, “The people of Punjab have understood that only the double engine government can make Punjab strong and work for their welfare, take the state forward and no one else can do it.” He said the alliance of Punjab BJP’s party is with the people of Punjab, not with any other outfit. He also said Prime Minister Modi represents “140 crore people” and can meet any leader, calling the alliance speculation around the meeting surprising.
Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring questioned Sukhbir Badal’s motives after the SAD’s changed stand on delimitation. Warring, the Ludhiana MP, asked why Badal, whom he called “desperate” for political survival, had made a “U-turn” on an issue his own party had opposed just three months earlier.
“So, what changed within these three months that you started seeing merit in the same bill that you otherwise found against Punjab’s interests?” Warring said, adding that Sukhbir “has turned more loyal than the king within no time.”
How have Punjab BJP’s party leaders reacted to the alliance talk?
| Leader | Stand On SAD Alliance |
| Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana CM | Ruled it out, says BJP’s alliance is with Punjab’s people |
| Kewal Singh Dhillon, Punjab BJP chief | Downplayed speculation, says PM can meet any senior leader |
| Nitin Nabin, BJP national president | Said in June 2026 party will contest all 117 seats alone |
| Daljit Singh Cheema, SAD spokesperson | Said only that “the leaders have met, that’s all” |
Both parties governed Punjab together for three terms between 1997 and 2017 before the SAD walked out of the National Democratic Alliance in 2020.
What happens next for Punjab BJP’s party?
With the 2027 assembly elections approaching, Punjab BJP’s party continues its organisational rebuild under Poonia and Dhillon, while alliance questions with SAD remain unresolved. The party has publicly maintained it will contest independently, even as informal contact between top leaders keeps the speculation alive.
Some more clarity will be expected closer to the election schedule, as both parties weigh whether going solo or joining hands offers a better chance against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress.