FORMER CPS HARISH DHANDA REJOINS SAD

LUDHIANA : Former chief parliamentary secretary, EX-MLA and senior advocate Harish Rai Dhanda rejoined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday.

Dhanda was seen sitting beside SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal during a meeting with the local unit of the party at Lions Bhawan here in the evening. His inclusion in the party is being seen as shot in the arm to the party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Dhanda had been Akali Dal spokesperson before he resigned from SAD in 2014, allegedly after being sidelined by the party. Sources said efforts were being made to bring him back to the fold. Dhanda had defeated Congress candidate and former minister Harnam Dass Johar from Ludhiana West in 2007.

He was appointed a CPS by then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in 2007.

He had resigned as an MLA and CPS to take up the chairmanship of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) in 2011, but the Punjab and Haryana high court order went against his appointment, leaving him without a political post.