Political circles in Punjab are witnessing fresh speculation over a possible party switch involving two prominent leaders from a major political party, both of whom have links with the Doaba region.
According to sources, discussions are underway that the two leaders could leave their present party and join another political outfit, however, there has been no official confirmation from either leader about leaving the party or joining another organisation.
The possible move is being closely watched because both leaders are considered politically significant and have a strong connection with the Doaba region and if either or both leaders change sides, it could become a notable development in Punjab politics ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Sources suggest that both leaders have multiple political options available to them because of their political stature and previous electoral and organisational experience but at present, however, it remains unclear whether they are actually planning to leave their party or whether the discussions are limited to political speculation.
The possibility of a party switch is not entirely new in the case of one of the two leaders and there had been similar political discussions in the past suggesting that the leader could leave the party, but despite those discussions, the leader ultimately remained with the organisation.
The second leader is also being discussed in political circles, with sources claiming that the leader has been feeling increasingly aloof within the party, but it is not clear whether this reported distance will translate into a decision to leave the organisation.
Any decision by the two leaders could have significance for several political parties because of their standing in the region.
Punjab has already witnessed a series of political shifts as parties prepare for the 2027 Assembly elections, with leaders moving between organisations and political groups attempting to strengthen their presence in key constituencies and the latest development in this context is the switch of former Aam Aadmi Party Jalandhar North constituency in-charge Dinesh Dhall to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Dhall joined the BJP on Wednesday, days after he was removed from the post of AAP constituency in-charge and he was inducted into the BJP in the presence of Punjab BJP chief Kewal Dhillon. Dhall was removed as the AAP's Jalandhar North constituency in-charge on July 29. The party subsequently assigned the responsibility to Jalandhar Mayor Vaneet Dhir.
Against this backdrop, the reported possibility of two more prominent leaders from the Doaba region changing political sides has added another layer to the political activity in Punjab, but for now, there is no official confirmation that either of the two senior leaders will leave their present party.
