Two AAP leaders join SAD ahead of Shahkot bypoll

In a jolt to the AAP, its two leaders, HS Walia and CD Singh Kamboj, on Sunday joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) along with their supporters ahead of the Shahkot Assembly bypoll scheduled to be held on May 28.

Both of them joined the SAD the presence of party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Welcoming Kamboj into the party fold, Badal said the senior leader was known for his statesmanlike conduct and strategic thinking, and with his joining, the SAD would be strengthened not only in Doaba belt, but also in entire Punjab.

Kamboj had been the president of BSP’s Punjab unit and had also contested elections twice from Shahkot on Congress ticket. He quit Congress and joined AAP in 2015 and was the party spokesperson, besides being the president of the Kamboj Mahasabha.

On the occasion, Kamboj said he joined the SAD to ensure the defeat of Congress’ Hardev Singh Laadi in the Assembly bye-election.

Detailing how Laadi had "insulted" the Kamboj community after his 2017 Assembly election loss, he said, “The community is very upset with him.”

“In fact, people with dubious reputation like Laadi are being rewarded with party tickets. This shows the moral bankruptcy of the Congress,” Kamboj alleged.

Earlier, Walia, who had contested 2017 Assembly polls from Jalandhar Cantonment seat, also joined SAD.

Walia said he was joining the SAD due to its "pro-people" policies as well as the party's desire to take all sections of society with it.