Haryana CM Saini Meets Bhupinder Singh Dhillon in Chandigarh Ahead of Punjab Elections
Saini’s meeting with Dhillon draws attention ahead of Punjab polls.
A recent meeting between Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Bhupinder Singh Dhillon, cousin of former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, has sparked political speculation in Punjab ahead of the state Assembly elections scheduled for next year.
According to sources, Saini visited Dhillon’s residence in Sector 16, Chandigarh, on Tuesday and reportedly spent nearly two hours there. Dhillon, a senior member of the Badal family and former political secretary to Parkash Singh Badal during the Shiromani Akali Dal–Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD–BJP) government, later clarified that the meeting was purely personal in nature.
Dhillon stated that the Haryana Chief Minister’s visit was intended to inquire about his health following a recent spine surgery. He emphasised that no political discussions took place during the interaction. However, the timing and nature of the meeting have still drawn attention in political circles given the backdrop of shifting alliances and early election preparations in Punjab.
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The development has gained significance as major political parties in Punjab begin positioning themselves ahead of the upcoming electoral battle. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was once in alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal, has indicated the possibility of contesting the elections independently, marking a potential shift in the state’s political landscape.
At the same time, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and opposition groups are closely watching the BJP’s moves, with scepticism over its ability to expand its base in the state. The party’s relatively underwhelming performance in recent civic body elections has further fueled internal discussions about strategy and organisational strength in Punjab.
While both Saini and Dhillon have described the meeting as personal, the interaction has nevertheless triggered speculation about behind-the-scenes political recalibrations. With Punjab’s political atmosphere gradually heating up, even informal contacts between leaders are being viewed through an electoral lens, reflecting the heightened sensitivity ahead of the polls.
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