Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon could emerge as the party’s candidate from Ludhiana North in the 2027 Assembly elections, triggering fresh speculation about the BJP’s electoral strategy in the state’s largest industrial city. According to party sources, an internal assessment has reportedly identified the constituency as a favourable option for the state chief.
Indications of Dhillon’s growing political focus on Ludhiana North have become increasingly visible. He has reportedly been making frequent visits to the area to interact with party workers, while posters and hoardings carrying his name have appeared at various locations. Local BJP leaders have also been putting up banners extending greetings to him. There are unconfirmed reports that he has arranged a place in the Civil Lines locality for his political activities.
Some party insiders believe his candidature could have an impact beyond a single constituency. They argue that having the state BJP president contest from Ludhiana North could strengthen the organisation across all 14 Assembly segments in the district, particularly its six urban constituencies.
The constituency has attracted the BJP’s attention partly because of its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party secured a substantial lead here, encouraging leaders to view the seat as a potential opportunity in the next Assembly contest.
Ludhiana’s importance as a major industrial and commercial centre is another factor behind the reported consideration. Party leaders believe Dhillon’s presence could help the BJP strengthen its relationship with traders, industrialists and business groups by providing them with a direct political channel to the Centre.
However, the possibility of Dhillon entering the contest could reshape the internal competition for the BJP ticket. Several established leaders have already been active in Ludhiana North, where the party has experienced repeated electoral setbacks, sometimes by relatively narrow margins. Internal differences have also reportedly complicated its campaign efforts in previous elections.
Among the prominent names associated with the constituency are Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sarin, Parveen Bansal, Narinder Singh Malli and Mahesh Dutt Sharma. All have been undertaking political activities in the area in an effort to strengthen their support.
Former Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu had also figured in speculation surrounding the constituency. His electoral performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has been cited as a factor behind discussions about his possible candidature.
During that election, Bittu received 53,725 votes from the Ludhiana North Assembly segment, compared with 31,415 votes secured by Congress candidate Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. BJP leaders reportedly believe that fielding Dhillon could further consolidate the party’s position.
The BJP’s previous Assembly performances in Ludhiana North also provide some context. In 2012, Parveen Bansal secured 46,048 votes but lost by 2,168 votes. Five years later, he received 39,732 votes and was defeated by 5,132 votes. In the 2022 elections, his vote count stood at 35,822, while the losing margin increased to 15,282 votes.
The constituency has historically witnessed competition between the BJP and Congress. Former BJP leader Harish Bedi had represented the seat, while Congress veteran Rakesh Pandey won it seven times.
Dhillon, meanwhile, has traditionally been associated with Barnala politics. He won the Assembly seat in 2007 and 2012 as a Congress candidate but subsequently faced electoral defeats. In 2017, he lost to AAP’s Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer by 2,432 votes. Contesting on a BJP ticket in the 2024 Barnala Assembly by-election, he finished third with 17,958 votes.
While no official announcement regarding Dhillon’s candidature has been made, his increasing political engagement in Ludhiana North has fuelled discussions about the BJP’s preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
