Punjab News Daily

Chandigarh, May 16

In a major political development in Punjab, senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra formally joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday during a public gathering held in Samana. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann personally welcomed him into the party. His family and several supporters also joined AAP along with him.

Welcoming Surjit Singh Rakhra into the party, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “May 16 will be remembered as a significant day in Punjab’s political history, as a clean and respected personality dedicated to public service has joined the AAP family. Surjit Singh Rakhra had every opportunity to focus on expanding his business and personal interests, but he chose the path of serving common people.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I thank the entire Rakhra family and all their supporters for joining the AAP Punjab family. Sometimes leaders have to rise above personal interests and work for the welfare of the state, society and future generations.”

He continued, “Surjit Singh Rakhra repeatedly tried to reform the Shiromani Akali Dal from within, but the party had gone astray and fallen into the wrong hands. The people had already rejected the Akali leadership because of their role in ‘beadbi’ incidents and anti-people politics.”

Taking a sharp dig at the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Punjab CM stated, “Leaders who once claimed they would rule Punjab for 25 years are now left without even 25 people in the party. The Shiromani Akali Dal has weakened to such an extent that even forming committees has become difficult for them.”