Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member from Punjab Avinash Rai Khanna has been appointed as party’s national vice-president on Wednesday.At the time of induction of Hoshiarpur MP Vijay Sampla as the Union Minister, it was argued why Khanna was not elevated. However, it was contended that the party wanted to woo the Dalit community in the State.
Congratulating Khanna, the Union Minister Vijay Sampla, Assistant Media Advisor to Punjab Government Vineet Joshi and Punjab Khadi Board chairman Harjit Singh Grewal said that it was his hard work, dedication and honesty that has been recognised.
Having started his political career as member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Khanna graduated to Sewa Bharti. He entered the State legislative assembly for the first time in 1997 from Garhshankar and in 2002, he was once again elected as MlA.
During this term, he was also leader of the legislative group in Punjab assembly. later, Khanna became State party president, also lok Sabha MP from Hoshiarpur. After the Hoshiarpur seat was reserved, he was appointed as member Punjab State Human Rights Commission. After a year as PSHRC member, he was nominated as Rajya Sabha MP and for the past three years, he has been organisational in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir affairs.