New Delhi: Punjab politician and former Congress veteran Sunil Jakhar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday.
BJP President J.P. Nadda welcomed the new member, calling him an “experienced political leader who had made a name for himself during his career”.
Nadda, who was present at the occasion, said he was confident Jakhar would play a “big role in strengthening the party in Punjab”.
A former Lok Sabha member, Sunil Jakhar quit the Congress last week after a virulent attack on former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who he said was not an asset as portrayed by the party leadership.
Jakhar was removed from all party posts by the Congress’ disciplinary committee, following allegations of anti-party activities.’
Five days ago, the senior leader took to Facebook to bare his angst against his alma mater. “It is my parting gift to the party. These are my last words to Congressmen. Good luck and goodbye Congress,” Jakhar said, asserting it was the end of an association that spanned 50 years and three generations.
“You broke (my) heart,” Jakhar said in a no-holds-barred attack.
He had a straight message for Rahul Gandhi: “If you cannot understand the difference between friend and foe, then understand between assets and liabilities.”
Jakhar attacked leaders “sitting in Delhi”, particularly Ambika Soni, for her statement last year that the party should go with a Sikh face after Amarinder Singh was unseated last year.
Jakhar was among the front-runners for the chief ministerial post, but couldn’t pass the “Sikh face” barrier.
In the 16th Punjab Legislative Assembly formed in 2022, the Aam Aadmi Party won a full majority of 92 seats in the 117-member House.
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