Another AAP leader from Doaba joins SAD ahead of Shahkot bypoll

Hans Raj Rana is the fourth AAP leader to have recently joined the Akali Dal

In an another jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the Shahkot bypoll, Hans Raj Rana, who contested the 2017 assembly elections from the Adampur constituency on AAP ticket, joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the presence of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday.

The Shahkot bypoll, necessitated by the death of former MLA and senior SAD leader Ajit Singh Kohar, is scheduled for May 28.

Joining the SAD, Rana said he was disillusioned with the AAP because its leadership, which professed idealism, was indulged in corruption. “AAP central leadership does not respect Punjabis or their sentiments and believed in dictatorial attitude,” he said.

The development came a day after the AAP’s two senior leaders from Doaba region, including CD Singh Kamboj and HS Walia joined the SAD.

Rana is the fourth AAP leader to have recently switched to the SAD.

An AAP leader from Shahkot, Amarjit Singh Thind, was the first to join the SAD after AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal tendered his apology to former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia over drug charges.

Welcoming Rana into the party fold, Sukhbir said: “Though we are not in power, AAP and ruling Congress leaders are joining the SAD. This is because people know that Akali Dal is like a family and worked for the welfare of the state in its 10-year tenure.”

“The AAP will be wiped out from Punjab. Only Sukhpal Singh Khaira will be left and he will not get place in any other party,” said Sukhbir.