A major jolt to Punjab BJP came on Sunday as its state vice president and seasoned MLA Arvind Khanna crossed over to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), accompanied by a slew of party functionaries. This move strengthens SAD’s organizational muscle at a time when Punjab politics is heating up.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD chief, hailed the occasion as the onset of a political tempest aimed at ousting Delhi-based parties from Punjab soil. He promptly named Khanna the constituency head for Sangrur, praising his unwavering dedication over 20 years via the Umeed Foundation’s grassroots efforts.
Badal portrayed Khanna as a selfless servant of the people, committed to societal upliftment without personal gain.
Khanna, speaking emotionally, called his rejoining SAD a return to roots, having started his journey there. He evoked nostalgia for the golden era of Akali rule, marked by transformative growth that residents crave again. The compassion shown by Badal during the devastating Punjab floods last year sealed his resolve, Khanna added.
The event drew BJP district head Dharminder Singh Dulat, ex-councillor Harbhans Singh Garicha, Deepak Agarwal, Daljit Singh Sekhon, state executive Manjula Sharma, women’s wing leader, truck union ex-chief Gurmeet Singh Kaka, block president Buta Singh, Narinder Kumar Sheli, Navdeep Singh Nippa, and Harmel Singh into the SAD fold.
Leaders from BJP and Congress units in Dirba, Sunam, Dhuri, and Barnala also pledged allegiance to SAD with Khanna.
In his rallying cry, Badal positioned SAD as Punjab’s authentic voice against AAP’s alleged reign of thuggery. He lambasted CM Bhagwant Mann for fostering chaos and narcotics proliferation, ruining the state’s fabric.
Khanna’s defection underscores growing disillusionment with national parties among local leaders favoring regional agendas. SAD’s revival strategy now hinges on such high-profile gains, promising a dynamic shift in voter alignments come election time.