By Amrit Pal Singh Sidhu
Bathinda, 15 November 2026
The nomination of prominent BJP leader and State Media Co-incharge Parampal Kaur Sidhu to the party’s 13-member Manifesto Committee has brought renewed attention to her growing organisational role within the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The committee, headed by former Member of Parliament Avinash Rai Khanna, comprises a combination of senior political leaders, former ministers, former legislators, Members of Parliament and other prominent party office-bearers. The composition reflects the party’s effort to bring together political experience, administrative understanding and organisational perspectives while preparing its manifesto.
Parampal Kaur Sidhu’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy in view of her background as a former IAS officer of the Punjab cadre and her subsequent entry into active politics. Since joining the BJP, she has gradually established her presence in the state party organisation, taking up issues concerning Punjab and participating in the party’s political and media-related activities.
Her administrative background has given her a distinct profile within the state BJP leadership. Her interventions on various issues confronting Punjab, along with her emphasis on governance, administration and public concerns, have contributed to her visibility in the party's political activities.
The 13-member committee includes several established political personalities who have held important positions in Punjab politics and public life. Apart from Parampal Kaur Sidhu, the members are Manpreet Singh Badal, Ashwani Sharma, Manoranjan Kalia, Som Parkash, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Ashwani Sekhri, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Raghav Chadha, Rajinder Gupta, Harbhajan Singh and Advocate H.S. Phoolka.
The appointment of Avinash Rai Khanna as chairman adds another dimension to the committee, given his experience as a former Punjab BJP president and former Rajya Sabha member. The panel is expected to draw upon the political, administrative, legislative and public-policy experience of its members while preparing the party's electoral document.
Parampal Kaur's Inclusion: A Significant Organisational Development
Parampal Kaur Sidhu's nomination assumes significance against the backdrop of the BJP's efforts to expand its organisational and political presence in Punjab. Her transition from the administrative services to active politics has provided her with a different professional background compared with several traditional political leaders in the party.
As a former IAS officer, she brings familiarity with government functioning, administrative procedures, implementation of public policies and institutional decision-making. These areas are particularly relevant to the preparation of an election manifesto, which is expected to address the aspirations of different sections of society and present the party's proposed approach towards governance.
Her position as State Media Co-incharge also places her in a role that involves communicating the party's position on political, administrative and public-interest issues. Her inclusion in the manifesto committee brings together these organisational responsibilities with the task of contributing to the formulation of the party's policy agenda.
The appointment also provides her an opportunity to participate in discussions involving senior leaders on issues relating to Punjab's economy, agriculture, industry, employment, education, healthcare, infrastructure, law and order, and administrative reforms.
The constitution of the Manifesto Committee is part of the BJP's preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. The party has simultaneously constituted a separate 14-member Chargesheet Committee under the chairmanship of former Punjab BJP president and former MP Sunil Jakhar.
While the Manifesto Committee will focus on preparing the party's electoral promises and policy proposals, the Chargesheet Committee has been assigned the responsibility of compiling issues and allegations concerning the functioning of the incumbent government.
The creation of these two committees indicates that the BJP has begun putting in place its institutional framework for the forthcoming electoral contest. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon has also indicated that more important committees will be announced in the coming days.
The challenge before the Manifesto Committee will be to translate the experience and perspectives of its diverse members into a coherent policy document addressing Punjab's economic and social priorities.
Punjab faces several important challenges, including agricultural sustainability, the need for industrial investment, employment opportunities for young people, fiscal pressures, drug-related concerns, infrastructure development and the delivery of public services. The manifesto will provide the party an opportunity to articulate its proposed solutions and explain how its policy priorities would be implemented.
For Parampal Kaur Sidhu, the nomination represents an additional responsibility within the state BJP's organisational structure. Her participation alongside senior political leaders, parliamentarians and experienced public representatives places her in an important forum for discussions on the party's future political and governance agenda in Punjab.(amritbrar2012@gmail.com)