CHANDIGARH: In a significant political shift, Punjab BJP Vice President and two-time MLA Arvind Khanna joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday, bolstering the regional party’s ranks ahead of key elections. Several BJP office-bearers, including the district president, also defected to SAD, signaling a potential realignment in Punjab’s volatile political landscape.
SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal welcomed Khanna with open arms, declaring the start of a ‘storm’ that would sweep national parties out of Punjab. Badal appointed Khanna as the ‘halqa’ in-charge for the Sangrur constituency, recognizing his two-decade-long service to the region through the Umeed Foundation’s social initiatives.
‘Khanna is among the rare leaders who believe in selfless service and giving back to society,’ Badal stated, highlighting Khanna’s contributions to community welfare.
Addressing the gathering, Khanna described his return to SAD—where he began his political career—as a ‘homecoming.’ He reminisced about the unprecedented development during past Akali governments, which people still fondly remember and yearn to revive. Khanna credited Sukhbir Badal’s selfless service during last year’s floods in Punjab as a key inspiration for his decision.
The switch saw an influx of BJP and Congress leaders from Dirba, Sunam, Dhuri, and Barnala joining SAD alongside Khanna. Notable defectors included BJP district president Dharminder Singh Dulat, former municipal council chairman Harbhans Singh Garicha, and others like Deepak Agarwal, Daljit Singh Sekhon, Manjula Sharma, Gurmeet Singh Kaka, and more.
Badal urged the public to back SAD, the only true representative of Punjab’s aspirations as a regional force. He vowed to combat the ‘goonda culture’ promoted by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of plunging the state into anarchy and drug addiction.
This development could reshape alliances in Punjab, where regional sentiments often trump national narratives. As SAD rebuilds its base, Khanna’s entry might galvanize support in Sangrur and beyond, setting the stage for fierce electoral battles.