2 former MLAs of Akali Dal also join BJP
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 4
Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave a big blow to Punjab Congress and Akali Dal during his visit to Chandigarh on Saturday. Six leaders, including four former Congress ministers, joined the BJP. These include former ministers Rajkumar Verka, Balbir Singh Sidhu, Sunder Sham Arora, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, former Barnala MLA Kewal Dhillon and Balbir Sidhu’s brother and Mohali Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu. At the same time, former Akali Dal MLAs Sarup Chand Singla and Mohinder Kaur Josh also joined BJP.
Sunil Jakhar’s role was instrumental in bringing former Congress ministers to the BJP. Before Shah reached Chandigarh, several Congress leaders gathered at the Panchkula residence of former party state president Jakhar. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also attended the meeting. After the meeting that lasted for about two hours, all the leaders reached the Punjab BJP headquarters in Chandigarh. In the presence of Punjab BJP in-charge and Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, Union Minister Som Prakash, Punjab BJP President Ashwini Sharma, party leader Dushyant Gautam, all the leaders joined BJP. During this Shah did not come on stage, but later these leaders met him.
