Jalandhar North Political Shake-Up: Former AAP Halqa In-Charge Dinesh Dhall Joins BJP

Jalandhar, September 3, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has received a major boost in Jalandhar as Dinesh Dhall, former AAP halqa in-charge of Jalandhar North, joined the BJP on Wednesday.

Dhall was formally inducted into the saffron party in the presence of Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon and other senior BJP leaders. More than a dozen of his supporters also joined the BJP, including his cousin and Municipal Corporation councillor Amit Dhall.

Dhall Joins BJP After Removal From AAP Post

Dhall's move comes weeks after the AAP removed him as the Jalandhar North halqa in-charge on July 29.

The AAP subsequently handed the responsibility to Jalandhar Mayor Vaneet Dhir. Reports said Dhall and members of his team were unhappy with the organisational change.

Following his removal, Dhall had continued to highlight development works carried out in the constituency during his nearly four-and-a-half-year association with the AAP.

More Than a Dozen Supporters Switch Sides

Dhall did not make the political move alone.

Several of his local supporters also joined the BJP, including Amit Dhall, a municipal councillor. Other reported entrants include AAP-linked local functionaries and representatives of various social and community groups in Jalandhar North.

The BJP leadership welcomed the new entrants, saying their arrival would strengthen the party's organisation in the constituency.

Dhall’s Political Journey

Dinesh Dhall contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly election from Jalandhar North on an AAP ticket, but was unsuccessful. Before joining AAP, he had been associated with the Congress.

His political career began with municipal politics, and he had earlier contested the Jalandhar North Assembly seat as a Congress dissident in 2012.

His latest switch therefore marks another significant change in his political journey.

BJP Gets a Local-Level Organisational Boost

Dhall's entry gives the BJP an experienced constituency-level political face with an existing network of workers and supporters in Jalandhar North.

The BJP has been working to expand its grassroots organisation across Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, and the addition of a former AAP constituency in-charge could strengthen its presence in the Jalandhar North segment.

At the same time, the development is a setback for the AAP's local organisation, particularly because Dhall had remained active in the constituency after serving as its in-charge.

Political Activity Intensifies Ahead of 2027

The switch comes as Punjab's political parties increasingly focus on constituency-level organisation ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Jalandhar has emerged as an important political battleground, with the AAP, BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal all working to expand their support base.

The BJP's recent announcement that it plans to contest all 117 Assembly constituencies independently adds further significance to the induction of local leaders with established political networks.

AAP Faces a Fresh Challenge in Jalandhar North

For the AAP, the development comes after it recently replaced Dhall with Mayor Vaneet Dhir as its Jalandhar North constituency in-charge.

The party had sought to strengthen Dhir's presence in the constituency ahead of the next election, while Dhall's subsequent departure to the BJP changes the local political equation once again.

Whether Dhall's supporters remain united behind him and how effectively the BJP converts the new support into an electoral organisation will become clearer as the 2027 campaign gathers pace.

Key Highlights
Former AAP Jalandhar North halqa in-charge Dinesh Dhall joined BJP.
He was inducted in the presence of Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon.
More than a dozen supporters also reportedly joined the BJP.
His cousin and MC councillor Amit Dhall was among the new entrants.
AAP removed Dhall as Jalandhar North halqa in-charge on July 29, 2026.
Vaneet Dhir was subsequently given the constituency responsibility.
Dhall had contested the 2022 Assembly election from Jalandhar North on an AAP ticket.
The switch comes ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.