Punjab BJP leader Jagmohan Singh Raju seeks to step back from organisational role ahead of elections

Senior Punjab BJP leader Jagmohan Singh Raju has written to party leadership requesting to be spared any organisational position, citing his wish to focus on long-term public issues. Raju, a retired IAS officer and current state general secretary, wrote to Manthri Srinivasulu, with a copy to Kewal Singh Dhillon, as the unit prepares new appointments ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.

Senior Punjab BJP leader Jagmohan Singh Raju has asked the party leadership to not assign any organisational post. Raju said the request was linked to plans to spend more time on public issues. Raju, a retired IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, is the general secretary in the state BJP unit. The letter was addressed to general secretary organisation Manthri Srinivasulu.

The move came soon after the BJP named Kewal Singh Dhillon as president of the Punjab unit. The party is also expected to announce new office-bearers in the state. Punjab Assembly elections are due early next year. The BJP has already said it will contest all 117 assembly seats in the coming polls.

Punjab BJP leader Jagmohan Singh Raju cites long-term issues

Raju wrote that several matters needed sustained work and long-term focus. Raju listed Holy City status for Amritsar and education support for Punjab’s youth. Raju also mentioned educational rights of poor children under the Right to Education Act. Raju included protection of constitutional rights of Scheduled Castes and Sikhs.

Raju also flagged issues related to religious conversion and drugs. Raju mentioned prohibition, the standing of the Punjabi language, and legacy disputes. The legacy matters included water and Chandigarh. Raju described these as issues with long-term importance for Punjab and the nation. Raju said more time was needed for these priorities.

Punjab BJP leader Jagmohan Singh Raju outlines planned outreach work

Raju wrote, "I also propose to undertake extensive public outreach, research, writing, legal interventions and mass contact programmes relating to these and related issues.\" Raju added that such work would need time and travel. Raju said the tasks also demanded steady engagement over long periods. Raju therefore sought relief from full-time organisational duties.

Raju told the party that balancing major responsibilities would be difficult. Raju wrote, \"In all fairness, I doubt if I would be able to devote the requisite time and attention necessary to efficiently discharge a major organisational responsibility while simultaneously pursuing these commitments,\" Raju said, adding that he would prefer not taking up any full-time organisational responsibility. A copy of the letter was also sent to Dhillon.

Punjab BJP leader Jagmohan Singh Raju recalls party role and 2022 contest

Raju noted past work for the party over four years. Raju wrote that this included roles as vice president and general secretary, Punjab. Raju wrote, \"These years have been among the most enriching and meaningful periods of my political journey, he said.\" Raju also contested the Amritsar East seat in 2022, but lost.

In the 2022 assembly polls, Raju faced Congress candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia also contested the same seat. AAP candidate Jeevanjyot Kaur won and became the MLA from Amritsar East. Raju also works in academic roles in India and the UK.

Raju is a visiting fellow at the Judge Business School, Cambridge University, UK. Raju is also a visiting professor at Panjab Universitys Department of Public Administration. The letter to party leaders came as the Punjab BJP prepares for changes in its state team. The party has also stated its plan to contest all 117 seats.

With inputs from PTI