Punjab BJP Welcomes Major Political Figures in Chandigarh Ceremony
The Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab received a significant boost on Friday. Several prominent political leaders formally joined the saffron party at its state headquarters in Chandigarh. This move strengthens the BJP's organizational structure in the region ahead of future electoral contests.
Key Inductions Bolster Party Ranks
The new entrants include former Member of Parliament Jagmeet Singh Brar and his younger brother, former MLA Ripjit Singh Brar. Charanjit Singh Brar, a leader from a breakaway Akali faction, also joined the BJP. Onkar Singh, who previously served as Officer on Special Duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, entered the party as well.
Senior BJP leaders presided over the induction ceremony. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma, and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu were all present to welcome the newcomers.
Jagmeet Singh Brar's Political Journey
Jagmeet Singh Brar brings considerable political experience to the BJP. He was once a heavyweight within the Congress party and even served on the Congress Working Committee. Brar famously defeated Sukhbir Singh Badal in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections from the Faridkot constituency.
His relationship with the Congress soured over time. The party suspended him in 2014 after he publicly questioned the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Although his suspension was later revoked, the Congress expelled him in 2016 for alleged anti-party activities.
Brar then became the Punjab chief of the Trinamool Congress but left that party in January 2018. He and his brother Ripjit joined the Shiromani Akali Dal in 2019, only to resign in late 2022. After formally entering the BJP, Brar praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his outreach to the Sikh community. He specifically mentioned the opening of the Kartarpur corridor as a positive step.
"We will work unconditionally for the BJP," Brar stated, committing himself and his brother to the party's cause.
Other New Members Express Confidence in BJP
Charanjit Singh Brar resigned earlier this week from the SAD (Punar Surjeet) faction. He alleged that the new group had failed to uphold its core ideological principles. Upon joining the BJP, he lauded the party for initiatives benefiting Sikhs.
He cited the removal of Sikh names from the "black list" and the establishment of the Kartarpur corridor as key achievements. Charanjit Singh Brar compared joining the BJP to "clearing the UPSC exam," describing it as the world's biggest democratic party. He also criticized SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for allegedly destroying local leadership.
Onkar Singh, who was removed as OSD to CM Bhagwant Mann in 2024, expressed concern about Punjab's development. He asserted that Punjab was lagging behind neighboring states and claimed that only the BJP could revive its fortunes.
Senior Leaders Hail the Inductions
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini welcomed the new entrants warmly. He said people had clearly made up their minds in favor of the BJP, reflecting a broader political shift.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar termed the inductions a "vital expansion" for the party. He emphasized that these moves accurately reflect the prevailing sentiment on the ground in Punjab.
This collective joining of experienced leaders marks a notable moment for the BJP's Punjab unit. It signals an attempt to consolidate support and present a stronger alternative in the state's political landscape.
