From Pepsi to Politics: Kewal Singh Dhillon's Journey to BJP Presidency in Punjab
The BJP on Thursday appointed Kewal Singh Dhillon as the president of the Punjab unit, succeeding Sunil Jakhar. This move is part of the party's strategy to expand its Sikh outreach ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Notably, Dhillon has often been credited for driving Pepsi into Punjab, a feat that was particularly challenging when only a handful of investors were willing to invest in the state due to militancy.
Through the Dhillon Group, he built a major beverages and bottling business that later expanded into hospitality, real estate, and other sectors. His role in bringing PepsiCo to Punjab was widely acknowledged, even by political rivals. Manish Tewari, a former colleague, publicly remarked that 'Dhillon had brought PepsiCo to Punjab when nobody was willing to invest in Punjab during terrorism.'
Dhillon's appointment comes at a critical time when the BJP is trying to make inroads into the rural Malwa region, which is a dominant force in Punjab's politics. The appointment is also seen as a direct challenge to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as Dhillon is a prominent figure from Sangrur district, the home turf of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Kewal Singh Dhillon, 75, hails from Tallewal village in Barnala district. He served as an MLA from Barnala between 2007 and 2017 before losing the seat to AAP leader Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer in the 2017 Assembly elections. He joined the BJP in June 2022, along with several former Congress leaders who switched sides following the Congress party’s crushing defeat in the Punjab Assembly polls. Later, he was appointed vice-president of the Punjab BJP unit.
After losing the Barnala seat in 2017, Dhillon also unsuccessfully contested the Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll on the BJP ticket. He shares a long political association with Capt Amarinder Singh, who himself joined the BJP after launching the Punjab Lok Congress. This connection is believed to give Dhillon access to Amarinder’s support base in the Malwa region.
With Dhillon at the center stage, the BJP appears to be sending a strong signal that the party's Punjab strategy revolves around Sikh representation and a bold challenge to the AAP in the rural belt. His industrial background and political experience make him a formidable candidate for the upcoming political battles in Punjab.
