To strengthen its outreach among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gearing up for its first ever ‘Sarv Samaj OBC Sammelan’ at the Abohar grain market on June 13, with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini scheduled to address it.
The event assumes political significance as it is being organised in Abohar, the hometown of former Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar and comes at a time when political parties have begun efforts to consolidate support among key social groups ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The saffron party leaders believe that the region offers fertile ground for such an outreach campaign. Fazilka and neighbouring Ferozepur districts have a sizeable OBC population comprising both Punjabi and Bagri speaking communities. To ensure a strong turnout, the BJP has deployed Haryana Cabinet Minister Ranbir Singh Gangwa and former Haryana MLA Ram Chand Kamboj, both belonging to the OBC community, to mobilise people in Fazilka district. The two leaders have been holding meetings with party workers and community representatives over the past several days.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon and Sunil Jakhar are also scheduled to attend the rally. Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar said, “This is an outreach programme of the BJP. This area has a sizeable OBC population. Haryana CM Nayab Saini belongs to the OBC community. Haryana Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa and former Haryana MLA Ram Chand Kamboj, who have been visiting the area regularly, also belong to the community. ” He said residents from all four Assembly segments of Fazilka district — Abohar, Balluana, Fazilka and Jalalabad — would attend the rally.
Meanwhile, Ronki Ram, Professor Emeritus at the Institute for Development and Communication, Chandigarh, said community focused political gatherings had long been used by parties to expand their social base. “Similar exercises have been undertaken by other parties as well. The real question is whether such outreach efforts eventually translate into electoral support,” he said.
