Ashwani Sharma is Punjab BJP working president, tipped to replace Jakhar
Punjab is all set to get a new BJP president, with the party on Monday naming sitting MLA Ashwani Sharma as the working chief to oversee internal organisational elections.
Sharma, the lawmaker from Pathankot, will conduct the proceedings required to elect the new BJP state chief, replacing incumbent Sunil Jakhar.
The three-time MLA’s appointment as working president of Punjab BJP means he would likely succeed Jakhar, a former Lok Sabha MP, as the next president of the party. Jakhar had in July 2023 replaced Sharma as the state chief.
In the BJP scheme of things, working presidents have almost always gone on to become state presidents.
Recently, Sat Sharma was appointed working president of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. He succeeded Ravinder Raina as the chief of the UT unit.
Likewise in Maharashtra, Ravindra Chavan was appointed working president of the BJP and later went on to replace Chandrakant Bawankule as the state unit president.
Jakhar, 71, had some months ago submitted his resignation to the party high command, urging to be relieved. He had in his communications to the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed reservations on the way Punjab and issues sensitive to it were being handled.
The appointment of Sharma as working president means Jakhar will be replaced soon with a new elected president.
The process of the election of BJP chiefs across state units is currently underway. BJP organisational poll in charge K Laxman had two days ago told The Tribune exclusively that the party’s national president’s election would be held once pending major state elections were completed.
A top BJP source today said a “big national role awaits Jakhar and a possible berth in the Rajya Sabha too".
The BJP was mulling using Jakhar’s services in Rajasthan, where his late illustrious father Balram Jakhar had a significant influence.
Balram Jakhar, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, was elected to the lower house from Ferozepur in Punjab and later from Sikar in Rajasthan.
These readjustments would happen once the BJP national president election is held, followed by the party organisational revamp.
Meanwhile, BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh has welcomed the appointment of Ashwani Sharma, saying “under the experienced and people-dedicated leadership of Ashwani Sharma, Punjab BJP will definitely move forward with new energy. BJP is committed to making Punjab a colourful and developed state with the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”. Under the leadership of Ashwani Sharma, every BJP worker will go to all villages, every city and become the voice of the people and “send the dictatorial Bhagwant Mann government and the guests from Delhi back home”.
BJP’s struggle will now be for the restoration of good governance, development and security in Punjab.
Punjab