BJP chief Nitin Nabin kicks off Punjab tour, bets on Modi wave for state growth
Synopsis
BJP national president Nitin Nabin's three-day Punjab blitz — spanning Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, a Core Committee war-room session, and a Jalandhar roadshow — signals the party is building early ground for its next Punjab assembly push, with a 'double-engine' Modi pitch squarely aimed at unseating AAP.
Key Takeaways
BJP President Nitin Nabin began a three-day Punjab visit on 21 June , arriving at Amritsar's Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport .
Nabin chaired a State Core Committee meeting focused on booth-level organisation and future electoral strategy.
He paid obeisance at Shri Harmandir Sahib , performed seva, and was honoured with a ceremonial turban by the SGPC .
Nabin asserted that only a 'double-engine' BJP government under PM Modi can make Punjab drug-free.
He led a roadshow in Jalandhar and, on X , linked the turnout to public discontent against the AAP government's 'failed policies'.
He also paid tribute at Jallianwala Bagh and visited Sri Durgiana Temple and Sri Ram Tirath .
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin launched a three-day visit to Punjab on 21 June, declaring that the state can achieve new milestones of growth and prosperity only under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nabin, who arrived at Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar, was received by Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon, party office-bearers, and workers.
Core Committee Meeting and Organisational Push
On Saturday afternoon, Nabin and Dhillon attended a State Core Committee meeting at ITC Welcome hotel, Amritsar. The session focused on strengthening the party organisation down to the booth level, charting a roadmap for upcoming programmes, and reviewing the political and organisational situation across the state. Discussions covered organisational expansion, the role of party workers, and future electoral strategy.
Harmandir Sahib Visit and SGPC Honour
Nabin paid obeisance and offered prayers at Shri Harmandir Sahib (Sri Darbar Sahib). He also performed seva at the gurdwara, participating in cleaning utensils — a gesture that drew attention from party workers accompanying him. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Information Centre honoured Nabin by ceremonially tying a turban on him.
Nabin said he had offered Ardas for peace and harmony across the country and for the well-being of the people of Punjab. Noting his roots in Patna Sahib — the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji — he described the visit as a privilege. 'This sacred place has its own glorious history, which has given Punjab a distinct identity and stature across the country and the world,' he said.
He also invoked Maharaja Ranjit Singh, saying: 'Just as Maharaja Ranjit Singh gave Amritsar and Punjab a distinct identity, everyone aspires to build the Punjab of his dreams.'
Drug-Free Punjab and the Double-Engine Argument
Nabin asserted that the BJP has a clear vision for Punjab and firmly believes that only a 'double-engine' BJP government led by Prime Minister Modi can truly make the state drug-free. The framing is a direct challenge to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state, which the BJP has repeatedly accused of failing on law and order and development.
On his official X account, Nabin wrote: 'The massive public turnout at the roadshow organised in Jalandhar is a clear expression of the people's trust, enthusiasm, and desire for change. This public support reflects the growing public discontent against the current AAP government's failed policies, the deteriorating law and order situation, and the stagnation in development works.'
Jallianwala Bagh Tribute and Jalandhar Roadshow
Earlier on Saturday, Nabin visited Jallianwala Bagh, paying tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation. He also offered prayers at Sri Durgiana Temple and visited Sri Ram Tirath (Valmiki Temple) in Gram Kaler.
Saturday evening saw Nabin lead a grand roadshow from BMC Chowk to Hotel Radisson in Jalandhar, which the party described as drawing tremendous enthusiasm from BJP workers and local residents. The roadshow is part of the BJP's broader effort to consolidate support ahead of the next Punjab assembly elections. With two more days of the visit remaining, the party's outreach in the state is set to intensify.
Point of View
But it carries a structural problem: the party has not held power in the state since 2017, and its alliance record there is complicated. Nabin's invocation of Sikh religious sites — Harmandir Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, Ram Tirath — in a single day suggests a deliberate attempt to broaden the party's cultural connect beyond its traditional base. Whether the roadshow enthusiasm translates into votes will depend on whether the BJP can field credible local candidates, something it has struggled with in Punjab for over a decade.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is BJP President Nitin Nabin visiting Punjab?
Nitin Nabin is on a three-day visit to Punjab beginning 21 June to strengthen the BJP's organisational network, review political strategy, and build momentum for future elections. The visit includes a State Core Committee meeting, religious site visits, and a public roadshow in Jalandhar.
What is the BJP's 'double-engine' government pitch for Punjab?
The BJP's 'double-engine' argument holds that having the same party in power at both the Centre and the state level accelerates development and governance. Nabin used this framing specifically to argue that only a BJP government in Punjab, aligned with PM Modi at the Centre, can make the state drug-free and drive prosperity.
What did Nitin Nabin do at Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar?
Nabin paid obeisance and offered prayers at Shri Harmandir Sahib (Sri Darbar Sahib), performed seva by participating in cleaning utensils, and was ceremonially honoured with a turban by the SGPC Information Centre. He said he offered Ardas for peace and harmony across the country.
What did Nabin say about the AAP government in Punjab?
Nabin, in a post on X, said the turnout at the Jalandhar roadshow reflected 'growing public discontent against the current AAP government's failed policies, the deteriorating law and order situation, and the stagnation in development works.' The BJP has consistently positioned itself as the alternative to AAP in the state.
Where else did Nitin Nabin visit during his Punjab trip on 21 June?
Apart from Harmandir Sahib, Nabin paid tribute to martyrs at Jallianwala Bagh, offered prayers at Sri Durgiana Temple, and visited Sri Ram Tirath (Valmiki Temple) in Gram Kaler. In the evening, he led a roadshow from BMC Chowk to Hotel Radisson in Jalandhar.
