BJP chief Nitin Nabin begins Punjab visit at Golden Temple, invokes Ranjit Singh vision
Synopsis
BJP national President Nitin Nabin opened his three-day maiden Punjab tour at the Golden Temple, invoking Maharaja Ranjit Singh's governance legacy as the party's benchmark for the state — a pointed signal of BJP's intent to reclaim ground in AAP-governed Punjab ahead of future elections.
Key Takeaways
BJP national President Nitin Nabin began a three-day maiden visit to Punjab on 20 June , starting with prayers at the Golden Temple , Amritsar.
Nabin pledged to build the Punjab of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's dreams, framing it as the BJP's developmental vision for the state.
He visited Jallianwala Bagh and paid floral tributes to the martyrs of the 1919 massacre .
Prayers were also offered at the Durgiana Temple and Sri Ram Tirath Temple .
Nabin chaired a BJP core committee meeting in Amritsar, accompanied by senior state and national party leaders.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national President Nitin Nabin on Saturday, 20 June commenced his three-day maiden visit to Punjab by offering prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, pledging to build the Punjab that Maharaja Ranjit Singh had envisioned.
Key Developments
Speaking to reporters after bowing his head at Sri Darbar Sahib, Nabin said he had prayed for the peace, prosperity, and progress of Punjab's people. 'I have been blessed with the opportunity to offer prayers at Sri Harmander Sahib, for peace, prosperity, and progress of the people of Punjab,' he said. He drew a direct parallel between Maharaja Ranjit Singh's governance legacy and the BJP's developmental aspirations for the state.
Nabin noted that he hails from Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, which he described as his karmabhoomi (place of work). He said his prayers were also directed at the peace and harmony of the entire country.
What the BJP President Said
'I have prayed for Punjab so that as the entire country is moving ahead on the path of progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our Punjab also advances on development parameters, and the rays of prosperity reach every home, neighbourhood, and village in Punjab,' Nabin said. He added that the visit had infused him with new energy and a renewed pledge to serve the nation and Punjab.
Sites Visited and Tributes Paid
After the Golden Temple, Nabin visited the historic Jallianwala Bagh and paid floral tributes to the martyrs of the 1919 massacre. Party leaders accompanying him raised slogans including 'Long live the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. He subsequently offered prayers at the Durgiana Temple, expressing reverence for Indian culture, spiritual heritage, and social harmony.
Nabin also visited the Sri Ram Tirath Temple, where he paid homage to Bhagwan Valmiki and acknowledged his contribution to India's spiritual legacy.
Party Leadership in Attendance
The BJP president was accompanied by a senior party delegation including state BJP President Kewal Dhillon, national General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh, Punjab co-incharge Narendra Raina, Parliamentary Board member Iqbal Singh Lalpura, former state President Shwait Malik, MP Vikram Sahni, and district President Harvinder Sandhu, among others.
Core Committee Meeting
In Amritsar, Nabin also chaired a meeting with the BJP's core committee in Punjab. The discussions are seen as significant given the party's efforts to expand its footprint in a state currently governed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This is the BJP chief's first formal visit to Punjab since assuming the national presidential role, and it signals the party's intent to sharpen its organisational presence ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
A Sikh icon, as the BJP's developmental yardstick for Punjab is a significant rhetorical move in a state where the party has struggled to find electoral footing since parting ways with the Shiromani Akali Dal. The core committee meeting held the same day suggests the visit is as much about organisational rebuilding as symbolism. Whether this translates to ground-level traction in AAP-governed Punjab remains the real question mainstream coverage is leaving unasked.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did BJP president Nitin Nabin visit Punjab?
Nitin Nabin began a three-day maiden visit to Punjab on 20 June to offer prayers at key religious sites and hold organisational meetings. The visit is seen as part of BJP's push to strengthen its presence in the AAP-governed state.
What did Nitin Nabin say at the Golden Temple?
Nabin said he prayed for the peace, prosperity, and progress of Punjab's people, and pledged to build the Punjab of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's dreams. He also connected Punjab's progress to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national development agenda.
Which sites did Nitin Nabin visit in Amritsar?
He visited the Golden Temple (Sri Darbar Sahib), Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, and Sri Ram Tirath Temple — paying tributes and offering prayers at each site on 20 June.
Who accompanied Nitin Nabin on his Punjab visit?
He was joined by state BJP President Kewal Dhillon, national General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh, Punjab co-incharge Narendra Raina, Parliamentary Board member Iqbal Singh Lalpura, former state President Shwait Malik, MP Vikram Sahni, and district President Harvinder Sandhu, among others.
What is the significance of Nitin Nabin's Punjab visit?
It is Nabin's first formal visit to Punjab as BJP national President, making it politically significant as the party seeks to rebuild in a state it lost to AAP. The core committee meeting held during the visit points to active organisational strategising.
