To Play Key Role in 2027 Poll Strategy, Likely to Be Party’s Political Narrator in Majha
Anuradha Miglani
Thenewsdose.com
Chandigarh, July 4, 2025,UPDATED:10.15AM
The exit of Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, one of the most vocal and aggressive voices in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Punjab cabinet, may mark the end of a ministerial chapter, but not his political journey. Sources within AAP suggest that the party is repositioning Dhaliwal for a larger strategic role in the run-up to the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself reportedly indicating such a move.
A Familiar Face in Political Confrontation
In recent weeks, Dhaliwal has been at the forefront of defending the AAP government’s controversial arrest of senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, emerging as one of the loudest voices in the party’s aggressive political campaign. Ironically, Dhaliwal is often referred to as “Majhe da Jarnail” (the General of Majha) — a moniker once associated with Majithia during the SAD-BJP regime. His assertive public posturing and grassroots image in the Majha region have made him a natural choice to lead political narratives, especially in an area where AAP is keen to consolidate its support base.
From America to Ajnala: A Bumpy Political Ride
Dhaliwal’s political journey has been one of sharp turns. A close confidant of CM Mann, he gave up his US citizenship almost a decade ago to return to Punjab and join active politics. His first electoral outing — the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Amritsar — ended in defeat. However, he found success in 2022, winning from the Ajnala Assembly seat and securing a berth in the Bhagwant Mann-led cabinet.
Initially entrusted with the crucial portfolios of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dhaliwal made headlines for spearheading land retrieval drives and promoting rural governance reforms. But his tenure wasn’t without turbulence. In a surprise move, he was stripped of both departments within a year and reassigned to NRI Affairs and Administrative Reforms — the latter later declared a non-existent department by the government.
In a notification issued earlier this year, the Punjab government clarified that there is no Department of Administrative Reforms, leaving Dhaliwal with only the NRI Affairs portfolio.
A Ministerial Exit with Grace and Resolve
Despite the reshuffle and his subsequent exclusion from the Cabinet, Dhaliwal appeared to accept the decision with composure. Refraining from dissent or criticism, he said he had delivered on his responsibilities and would continue to serve the party in any capacity deemed fit by CM Mann and AAP’s national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal.
“I am proud of my work as Rural Development and Panchayat Minister. We freed 11,000 acres of encroached land worth Rs 2,700 crore — a feat no other state has matched,” said Dhaliwal. “As NRI Affairs Minister, I organised nine NRI Milnis and resolved around 6,000 cases involving property disputes and matrimonial issues.”
Dhaliwal also expressed regret over one unfinished task — the finalisation of Punjab’s Agriculture Policy, a draft of which was largely completed during his tenure. “I am hopeful that Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and NRI Affairs Minister Sanjeev Arora will carry the work forward,” he added.
From Minister to Messenger?
While Dhaliwal’s Cabinet stint may have ended, his popularity in the Majha region, clean image, and reputation for taking bold positions make him a likely candidate for a key campaigner in AAP’s 2027 strategy. His removal, party sources say, is not a demotion but part of a realignment of roles as AAP begins to prepare its electoral narrative with a renewed focus.
Whether as a field organiser, political troubleshooter, or campaign strategist, Kuldeep Dhaliwal’s next move could be instrumental in shaping AAP’s fortunes in the next battle for Punjab.
