Former Congress Leader Sunil Jakhar Joins BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party is determined to strengthen its hold in Punjab, as the party welcomed former Indian National Congress (INC) leader from the state Sunil Jakhar on Thursday. Jakhar, who had resigned from the Congress party last week, was inducted by the BJP National President Mr. J.P. Nadda.

The former Indian National Congress Punjab chief was removed from all party posts in April for alleged involvement in anti-party activities. The rebel leader was issued a show-cause notice by Congress leadership for his criticism against the former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. After resigning from Congress on May 14th, Jakhar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here in New Delhi

As Mr. Jakhar was welcomed by Mr. J.P. Nadda into BJP earlier on the 19th of May, at the party headquarters, the Congress rebel proclaimed that "one can remove Sunil Jakhar from a party post but can't silence him."

After joining the BJP, Mr. Sunil Jakhar said, "I had a 50-year-old relationship with congress, my family has been with the party for three generations since 1972. I considered it family," he said, claiming that he quit Congress, not because of any personal dispute, but "fundamental issues" with the party. There is an element of casteism in the Congress, but BJP has equality for all."

Meanwhile, Mr. Nadda has said that Jakhar would play a critical role for the BJP in Punjab. Sunil Jakhar is the son of veteran Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker, the late Balram Jakhar. This is the second jolt to the Congress party in less than a week, as Gujarat leader Hardik Patel quit the party on the 18th of May.

There have been rising speculations that the Patidar leader may join BJP, however, Patel has denied any decision to join the BJP or the Aam Aadmi Party.

Stay tuned for further updates.