1 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Union Home Minister Amit Shah had lunch at the residence of Punjab BJP vice-president and former Jalandhar mayor Rakesh Rathour in Paragpur village before addressing the BJP’s anti-drug rally in Jalandhar on September 30.
Rathour’s residence is located less than half a kilometre from the rally venue on the Jalandhar-Phagwara road. Shah spent around 40 minutes at the residence, where party-related matters were discussed. Hotelier Gautam Kapoor and his son-in-law Pankaj Sardana were also present during the luncheon.
Rathour confirmed that hosting Shah was a privilege and said the programme had been finalised by senior party leaders and conveyed to him. The meeting took place during Shah’s visit to Jalandhar for the concluding programme of the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’.
Before reaching Rathour’s residence, Shah visited the historic Shri Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar and offered prayers. He was accompanied by Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon during the visit.
After the temple visit, Shah travelled to the area near Paragpur before proceeding to the rally venue. His lunch meeting with Rathour became a notable part of his Jalandhar schedule.
Rathour, who has largely been involved in organisational activities within the Punjab BJP, has also expressed interest in contesting the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections if the party gives him an opportunity. His residence in Paragpur falls within the Jalandhar Central Assembly constituency.
The meeting has led to reports and speculation about Rathour potentially being considered for the Jalandhar Central seat. However, the BJP has not formally announced its candidate for the constituency.
Rathour previously lived in Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar, which falls within the Jalandhar North constituency. His new residence in Paragpur is located in Jalandhar Central.
The Jalandhar Central seat has been represented by BJP leader and former minister Manoranjan Kalia on several occasions. Kalia has contested the seat for the party since 1992 and has won the constituency three times.
The luncheon came as the BJP intensified its organisational activities in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The party’s 13-day ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, launched on September 18, covered all 117 Assembly constituencies before concluding in Jalandhar.
The campaign focused on the issue of drug abuse in Punjab and culminated in the rally addressed by Shah. The BJP had organised the yatra through multiple routes across the state, with party leaders and workers participating in programmes during the campaign.
Shah’s Jalandhar visit included several engagements. His temple visit was followed by the luncheon at Rathour’s residence and then the main public rally.
The presence of senior BJP leaders at the luncheon also highlighted the organisational nature of Shah’s visit. Rathour has been active in the state party organisation and has previously served as mayor of Jalandhar.
While the lunch meeting has generated discussion about the BJP’s possible candidate choices in Jalandhar Central, no official decision has been announced by the party. Candidate selection for the 2027 Assembly elections is expected to be made at a later stage.
The visit also brought attention to the BJP’s preparations for the Punjab elections. Political parties in the state have begun increasing their public outreach and organisational activities as the Assembly election approaches.
Following his meeting with Rathour, Shah proceeded to the rally venue, where he addressed BJP workers and supporters as part of the concluding programme of the party’s statewide anti-drug campaign.
The luncheon therefore formed part of Shah’s wider Jalandhar schedule rather than a standalone political programme. Further developments regarding Rathour’s possible electoral role will depend on formal decisions by the BJP.