Punjab’s political chessboard tilted further Sunday when BJP Vice President Arvind Khanna, a two-term legislator, formally joined Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), bringing along key BJP figures like the district president. This infusion promises to fortify SAD’s campaign machinery.
Party supremo Sukhbir Badal greeted Khanna exuberantly, announcing a ‘storm’ to purge Punjab of external party influences. Badal wasted no time, designating Khanna as Sangrur’s halqa in-charge, lauding his 20 years of tireless public service through the Umeed Foundation.
‘He’s a leader who lives for selfless contribution to society,’ Badal emphasized.
Khanna, reflecting on his roots in SAD, termed the move a heartfelt homecoming. He highlighted the enduring legacy of development under Akali dispensations, which the populace longs to restore. Badal’s flood relief heroism last year profoundly moved him, Khanna shared.
Joining the exodus were BJP’s Dharminder Singh Dulat, Harbhans Singh Garicha, Deepak Agarwal, Daljit Singh Sekhon, Manjula Sharma, Gurmeet Singh Kaka, Buta Singh, Narinder Kumar Sheli, Navdeep Singh Nippa, and Harmel Singh. BJP and Congress activists from Dirba, Sunam, Dhuri, and Barnala followed suit.
Badal called on Punjabis to rally behind SAD, the genuine champion of regional interests. He pledged a firm stand against AAP’s culture of violence, directly blaming CM Bhagwant Mann for unleashing disorder and drug menace across the state.
Analysts see this as SAD’s calculated outreach to disaffected leaders, potentially tipping scales in crucial pockets. Khanna’s local clout in Sangrur could prove pivotal, amplifying SAD’s narrative of authentic Punjabi leadership amid national party struggles.