BJP Deploys Paatil, Pathak To Strengthen Punjab Poll Strategy (Img: X)
New Delhi: As the Congress-led Opposition works out its next steps in the campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the BJP has stepped up preparations for the Punjab Assembly elections, bringing in two key strategists to strengthen its organisational presence in the border state.
Four-time Lok Sabha MP from Gujarat’s Navsari and Union Minister C R Paatil is expected to play a central role in shaping the party’s campaign. He has already held several rounds of informal discussions with Punjab BJP leaders.
The second key figure is former AAP national general secretary Sandeep Pathak, the only rebel AAP MP to have been given a position in the BJP’s organisation. Pathak was appointed national secretary after BJP president Nitin Nabin recently announced his new team.
With Paatil and Pathak on board, the BJP is drawing up plans to expand its reach at the booth, mandal and district levels as it prepares for the Assembly elections.
Both leaders attended an official meeting focused on Punjab on Monday and Tuesday, chaired by Nabin. Paatil’s involvement is seen as a sign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direct oversight of the party’s Punjab strategy, while Pathak’s induction points to preparations for candidate selection.
According to sources, Paatil has asked party leaders to concentrate on more than 60 constituencies where the BJP believes it can strengthen its base.
At the meeting, Paatil also asked senior state leaders, including state chief Kewal Dhillon, former state presidents Sunil Khakhar and Ashwani Sharma, and BJP vice-president Manpreet Badal, to focus on constituencies where the party already has a presence.
Sources said no discussion on a possible alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal took place during the meeting. The BJP’s immediate focus remains on strengthening its organisational network and identifying constituencies where it can improve its electoral prospects.
