With months remaining before the Punjab Assembly elections, state BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar on Sunday. He paid obeisance and sought the blessings of dera head Sant Niranjan Dass, who was recently honored with the Padma Shri award. During the visit, Dhillon held a special interaction with the spiritual leader, congratulating him on the prestigious recognition.
Demand for CM Mann's Resignation Over Akal Takht Row
Speaking to the media, Dhillon called for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's resignation amid the ongoing Akal Takht controversy. He stated, "Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs. The Chief Minister has unnecessarily picked a fight with the Akal Takht, making excuses about height and masks. I would just ask him: CM Sahib, you must resign. There is nothing greater than the Akal Takht. Apologise and accept the directives of the Akal Takht."
Criticism of AAP's Drug Policy and Congress Infighting
Dhillon also criticized the Aam Aadmi Party government for failing to curb the drug menace in the state. He remarked, "Before the elections, Arvind Kejriwal had promised the people of Punjab that drugs would be eradicated from the state within three months. But even after four and a half years, a large number of youth are falling prey to drug abuse, and the government's 'War Against Drugs' campaign has completely failed. The arrest of the Deputy Superintendent of Hoshiarpur Jail, along with the open sale of drugs inside prisons, reflects the government's failure."
On the Congress party, Dhillon referred to its internal strife as "kato klesh" (domestic feuds), claiming he had predicted it earlier. He said, "People have made up their minds for the BJP in 2027. They have seen that the fight for the chair is ongoing within the Congress. I had predicted 'kato klesh' within the Congress, and that is exactly what happened. People have seen Congress, AAP, and the Akalis. They know the BJP is the only hope."
Key BJP Leaders Accompany Dhillon
Prominent BJP leaders accompanied Dhillon during the visit, including former MLA and CPS Avinash Chander Kler, former Union Minister Som Parkash, former Punjab BJP President Vijay Sampla, S.R. Ladhar, Rajesh Bagha, Sushil Rinku, Sheetal Angural, and Inder Iqbal Atwal. Dhillon also paid respects at the statue of 108 Sant Shri Sarwan Dass.
Confidence in BJP's 2027 Victory
Dhillon expressed confidence that with the blessings of Sant Niranjan Dass, the BJP would form the government in Punjab in the 2027 Assembly elections. He stated, "Today we have come to seek the blessings of Sant Niranjan Dass Ji and offered ardas (prayer) for the betterment of Punjab, Punjabiyat, and Punjabis." He added that the party remains committed to the welfare of the underprivileged and will sincerely respect and implement any guidance from the revered spiritual institution for the betterment of the poor and Dalit communities.
PM Modi's Love for Punjab
When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's potential visit to Jalandhar and Punjab, Dhillon said, "I don't know about that. But Modi Sahib loves Punjab. Whenever he comes, he always wishes that, like the other states where the BJP is in power, Punjab too should become rangla (vibrant) and prosperous."
