Overview

• BJP national president J P Nadda appointed Ashwani Kumar Sharma as the working president of the Punjab unit effective July 7
• The move addresses the leadership vacuum left by former state affairs in-charge Vijay Rupani’s death in June
• Despite stepping into the working role, Sharma will defer to Sunil Jakhar as the formal state president until organisational polls end
• A seasoned RSS alumnus and two-time former state chief, Sharma brings deep cadre-level experience to fortify grassroots outreach
• The appointment advances BJP’s broader push to wrap up state unit elections before its upcoming national presidential vote