The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stepped up efforts to contain growing factionalism in its Punjab unit, with party observer for Punjab and state in-charge for Haryana Satish Poonia set to begin consultations with disgruntled leaders from August 20.
The intervention comes against the backdrop of an unprecedented crisis within the BJP’s Punjab unit. Several senior leaders have, for the first time, openly questioned the manner in which organisational decisions are being taken. However, the appointments triggered strong resentment among sections of the party, with senior leaders publicly expressing their displeasure.
The immediate trigger was the replacement of six district presidents within just 13 days of their appointment, as well as the composition of the new state team announced by Punjab BJP president Kewal Dhillon. Dhillon had announced the new office-bearers on August 2, saying the changes were aimed at further strengthening the party’s organisational structure in Punjab.
Poonia, a Rajya Sabha member, is expected to meet senior leaders who have publicly criticised the functioning of the state leadership, particularly over allegations of unilateral decision-making, disregard for organisational norms and violations of internal party decorum. The dissent assumed an unusual dimension when some senior BJP leaders held press conferences to air their grievances. The public expression of differences prompted the party’s central leadership to intervene to prevent the dispute from escalating further. His intervention is being viewed as an interim arrangement until the BJP formally appoints a new party affairs in-charge for Punjab.
On August 7, Dhillon and state general secretary (organisation) Manthari Srinivasulu were summoned by BJP national president Nitin Nabin for discussions amid the intensifying differences within the Punjab unit.
People familiar with developments said Poonia was also present at the meeting and was subsequently tasked with reaching out to the disgruntled leaders and assessing the situation on the ground. A senior BJP functionary said Poonia had been asked to engage with leaders belonging to different factions and convey their concerns to the central leadership, rather than allowing the internal differences to spill further into the public domain.
