Another homecoming in Punjab Congress as Captain Amarinder loyalist Ajaib Singh Bhatti returns to party fold

A former bureaucrat, Ajaib Singh Bhatti resigned as secretary education in December 2006 to make electoral debut in 2007 Punjab assembly elections and won from then Nathana (SC reserved) constituency in Bathinda district. He subsequently won from Bhucho Mandi and Malout in 2012 and 2017, respectively, and calls Amarinder Singh a “fatherly figure” for bringing him into politics.

Last month, Punjab Congress got a shot in the arm when four erstwhile ministers and two former MLAs quit BJP and Akali Dal to join Congress, along with two other leaders.

Raj Kumar Verka, Balbir Singh Sidhu and Gurpreet Singh Kangar – all from BJP – and Hans Raj Josan, Mohinder Singh Rinwa and Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu – all from Akali Dal – had formally returned to Congress in Chandigarh on October 20, days after meeting All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal and expressing the desire to return to party fold.

Raj Kumar Verka, Balbir Singh Sidhu, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, and Hans Raj Josan had been ministers in Congress governments. Hans Raj Josan had previously quit Congress and joined Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

On Wednesday, apart from return of Bhatti, his daughter Jeevan Jot Kaur and former SSP Rajinder Singh also joined Congress along with two other leaders.

“I am delighted to induct such capable leaders into the party fold. Their addition contributes positively to our growth trajectory. Together, we remain committed to advancing Punjab’s welfare, especially with the infusion of such accomplished individuals,” Leader of the Opposition and Congress MLA from Qadian Partap Singh Bajwa said while welcoming the leaders into the party at Punjab Congress Bhawan.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said, “All those possessing capability and determination to work for Punjab’s betterment are welcome. The inclusion of these individuals into our political family is a testament to the acknowledgment and appreciation of our efforts by fellow political leaders. The Congress party’s influence in Punjab continues to get strengthened.”

Talking to The Indian Express, Ajaib Singh Bhatti said, “Basically, the area in which I live and contested past elections, they wanted me to rejoin Congress. The poor Scheduled Caste (SC) population of the area is very much attached to me. They have been Congress supporters and compelling me for long to return to the party. I judged their pulse and decided accordingly.”