Suspended Aam Aadmi Party MP from Fatehgarh Sahib Harendra Singh Khalsa on Thursday joined Bharatiya Janata Party in presence of Union Minister Arun Jaitley and others in New Delhi. Khalsa had in 2014 General Elections won from Bhatinda Lok Sabha seats on AAP Ticket by defeating Congress‘ Sadhu Singh with over 50,000 votes.
The Aam Aadmi Party had in 2014 suspended Khalsa for his alleged Anti-party activities, however, Fatehgarh Sahib MP denied allegations.
Delhi: Suspended* Aam Aadmi Party leader from Punjab, Harinder Singh Khalsa joins Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Union Minister Arun Jaitley. pic.twitter.com/wyVoNDqzTD https://t.co/j3abHabMDe
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2019
Harendra Singh Khalsa had in 1996 elected to Lok Sabha for the first time on Shiromani Akali Dal from Bhatinda Parliamentary Seat with over a margin of 90,000 votes.
Addition of Harendra Singh Khalsa is seen as a big boost for the saffron party who has forged an alliance with its one of the Oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a run-up to the General Elections 2019. As per the poll pact, BJP will contest on 3 Lok Sabha Seats while Shiromani Akali Dal will field its candidates on remaining 10 Lok Sabha Seats. Punjab has a total of 13 Lok Sabha Seats.
BJP-SAD combine will take on Congress, Punjab Democratic Alliance comprising seven parties including one floated by Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
Punjab for its 13 Parliamentary seats will poll in a single phase on May 19 four days ahead of counting. Election Commission had on March 10 declared schedule for General Elections 2019.
General Elections are slated for April-May this year that would spread on Seven Phases starting from April 11 to May 19. Counting of Votes and Results for the mega Battle of ballots will be announced on May 23 four days after the 7th phase of voting.
In 2014 General Elections, BJP-SAD combine won 6 Lok Sabha Seats with BJP emerged victorious on 2 seats while SAD on 4. Congress who suffered major setback across the nation managed to win 3 Lok Sabha Seats in Punjab while debutant Aam Aadmi Party bagged 4 Lok Sabha Seats.
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