Former Akali Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra Joins AAP, Strengthening Political Landscape in Punjab
Ex-Akali minister Rakhra joins AAP; Mann calls him honest leader
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Surjit Singh Rakhra, a former minister expelled from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Patiala district, Punjab. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann welcomed Rakhra, praising his integrity and experience, while criticizing the SAD's decline in public trust. Rakhra cited AAP's initiatives for farmers and the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib as key reasons for his shift.
- 01Surjit Singh Rakhra was previously a two-time MLA and served as Punjab's revenue and rehabilitation minister.
- 02Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized the need for experienced leaders to rebuild Punjab's governance.
- 03Rakhra's departure from SAD was due to internal conflicts with party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
- 04The AAP government has enacted laws to protect the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib, which influenced Rakhra's decision to join.
- 05Following Rakhra's exit, SAD (Punar Surjit) formed a disciplinary committee to address organizational discipline.
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Surjit Singh Rakhra, a former minister in Punjab, has officially joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after being expelled from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) faction led by Sukhbir Singh Badal. Rakhra, who has served as the revenue and rehabilitation minister and is a two-time MLA from the Samana assembly constituency, was welcomed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a ceremony in his native village in Patiala district. Mann praised Rakhra as an experienced and honest leader, asserting that he had been affiliated with the 'wrong party'. He criticized the SAD for its diminishing public trust due to its involvement in sacrilege incidents and ineffective governance. Rakhra cited the AAP government's initiatives, including the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, aimed at preserving the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib, as pivotal in his decision to join AAP. His entry is expected to influence the political dynamics in the Samana constituency, currently held by AAP's Chetan Singh Jauramajra. In response to Rakhra's departure, SAD (Punar Surjit) announced the formation of a disciplinary committee to uphold organizational discipline.
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Rakhra's shift to AAP could reshape political alliances and voter sentiments in the Samana constituency, potentially benefiting AAP's standing in the region.
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