25 April
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
During a rally in Gurdaspur in support of Aam Aadmi Party’s Lok Sabha candidate Sherry Kalsi, significant defections from the Congress to the AAP were witnessed. Neeraj Salhotra, former chairman of Urban Improvement Trust Gurdaspur, along with Congress leader Balwinder Singh Bhola and advocate Sucha Singh Multani, officially joined the Aam Aadmi Party.
Salhotra’s departure from the Congress marks a notable shift in allegiances, considering his longstanding association with former MP Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder and later, Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa. The defection was symbolized by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann administering syrup to the new entrants, signifying their induction into the party fold.
The rally served as a platform for the Aam Aadmi Party to showcase its growing support base and attract influential figures from other political parties. The defections underscore the changing political dynamics in Gurdaspur and the broader Punjab region, ahead of the upcoming elections.
The addition of Salhotra, Bhola, and Multani to the AAP’s ranks is expected to bolster the party’s campaign in Gurdaspur and enhance its prospects in the Lok Sabha elections. Their defection reflects a broader trend of political realignment and highlights the AAP’s appeal to disenchanted leaders seeking a fresh political platform.