Newly appointed Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon launched his first campaign after assuming charge from Sangrur district's Dhuri — the home constituency of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann — on Sunday, declaring that Mann would not contest the 2027 assembly election from there as he had 'failed to deliver on promises made to the people'.
Dhillon's Rally and Outreach Programme
Addressing a public rally, Dhillon kicked off the party's statewide outreach programme covering all 117 assembly constituencies ahead of the 2027 polls. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and senior BJP leaders attended the event. Dhillon said Mann had chosen Dhuri as his constituency but neglected it.
'Four years have passed. The roads remain broken, youth continue to struggle with unemployment, and farmers are still waiting for their dues. The CM is busy holding press conferences in Chandigarh while Dhuri suffers,' he said.
Allegations of Unlawful Detention
He also alleged a BJP worker was unlawfully detained by Sangrur police during the municipal corporation elections, and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu had to personally intervene to secure his release. 'When police machinery is used against opposition workers in the CM's own constituency, it reflects the fear and insecurity within the ruling party,' Dhillon said.
He challenged the people of Dhuri and the media to ask Mann directly whether he intended to contest from the seat again.
Vision for Punjab
Presenting his vision for Punjab, Dhillon invoked the governance model of Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a benchmark, saying he had installed the Maharaja's portrait in his office as a symbol of commitment to his ideals of justice, inclusiveness and good governance.
'The Punjab of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was one where every farmer was prosperous, every faith was respected, and no citizen lived in fear. We are committed to building such a Punjab,' he said.
Describing farmers as the backbone of the state's economy, Dhillon praised the Haryana government's record on MSP procurement and said a BJP government in Punjab would extend MSP to additional crops alongside a push for diversification.
Criticism of AAP Government
He also trained his sights on the AAP government's failure to fulfil its promise of Rs 1,000 per month to women in Punjab. 'Even after more than four years in power, the Mann government has failed to honour one of its major election promises. The people of Punjab must choose performers, not leaders who forget their promises after coming to power,' he said.
Haryana CM's Remarks
Speaking at the rally, Saini claimed Haryana was among the leading states in procuring crops at MSP and said farmers were compensated for losses due to natural calamities. Responding to media queries later, he dismissed talk of internal differences within the party, saying former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh was like a family member in the BJP and that the party would contest the Punjab elections united.
