Why Sunil Jakhar isn’t keen on continuing as Punjab BJP chief

Amid ongoing speculation over the resignation of Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar, sources within the party confirm that while he has offered to step down, no official resignation has been submitted as yet.
“Sunil Jakhar has not resigned, despite rumours. He remains with the party, and we are working together,” BJP General Secretary Anil Sarin told India Today.
Repeated offers to resign: A sign of growing discontent?
Party insiders reveal that Jakhar has twice expressed his intent to resign — once after the Jalandhar byelection in July and more recently, in light of growing internal discord in BJP’s Punjab unit.
Jakhar’s decision stems from dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership and internal rifts between rival factions within the Punjab unit, creating a politically charged atmosphere.
On Thursday, an important meeting in Chandigarh proceeded without Jakhar’s presence, reportedly due to his refusal to attend. However, Sarin refuted these claims, clarifying that the party chief is not required to attend all such gatherings.
Sources suggest that Jakhar has been particularly upset with what he perceives as the ‘outrageous functioning’ of some Punjab BJP leaders, who allegedly attempted to undermine his authority as state president.
“Jakhar has been silent for a while, even before the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP has struggled to shake off its anti-farmer image in Punjab. Jakhar made attempts to bring Akali Dal closer, but the biggest issue was that the party rendered him a mere symbolic president, constantly interfering in his leadership,” a political analyst from Chandigarh said.
Is Jakhar’s lack of a turban a political handicap in Punjab?
While Sunil Jakhar stands tall as a respected Hindu and Jat leader, the fact that he is not turbaned has been a significant obstacle in Punjab’s political landscape. His political journey has been marked by setbacks related to this issue.
Previously, Jakhar was forced to leave the Congress after being overlooked for the Chief Minister position, with senior Congress leader Ambika Soni stating openly that Jakhar could not be Punjab’s Chief Minister because he is not Sikh.
Despite his seniority, the Congress favoured his juniors for the top post.
Similarly, although the BJP appointed him as the state party president, Jakhar was sidelined when it came to Union Cabinet appointments, even as Ravneet Singh Bittu, who lost his election, was given a Cabinet role.
This move highlighted where the BJP’s priorities lay, especially since the party inducted more Sikh leaders from the Congress into its state unit than Hindus, sparking claims that the BJP had become a ‘B-team’ of the Congress in Punjab.
Despite these challenges, Jakhar’s contribution during his short time in the BJP has been significant. Though the party did not secure any seats in the Lok Sabha elections, its vote share rose from 9 per cent in 2019 to 18 per cent in 2024 under his leadership.
Punjab BJP in crisis as Panchayat elections approach
Jakhar’s offer to resign has left the Punjab BJP in a state of disarray, particularly as crucial panchayat elections are set for October 15.
Sunil Jakhar’s journey in the BJP began on May 19, 2022. Alongside Captain Amarinder Singh, he was appointed to the BJP’s National Executive in December 2022, and he was elevated to State Party Chief in July 2023.
Yet, despite his quick rise, his future with the BJP now seems uncertain as the party grapples with internal divisions and leadership struggles.