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This is an archive article published on December 31, 2024
Rewind 2024: Punjab’s year of political defections and high-stakes elections
From last-minute switches to accusations of coercion, 2024 reflected the churn in Punjab’s political landscape. As leaders hopscotched between parties, voters were left questioning the integrity of their representatives.
Ludhiana and Jalandhar witnessed a whirlwind of political defections in 2024, with municipal polls and by-elections becoming theatres of shifting loyalties. (Express File)
It was a year of defections in Punjab which saw a spate of elections this year, starting with the Lok Sabha elections in June and ending with the civic polls in December.
Three-time Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, who had represented Ludhiana in the Lok Sabha twice, delivered a major blow to his party when he joined the BJP in March.
The AAP strengthened its ranks ahead of the LS elections by bringing in candidates from rival parties. Key figures included Raj Kumar Chabbewal and Gurpreet Singh GP from the Congress, and Pawan Kumar Tinu from the Shiromani Akali Dal.
However, the AAP also suffered setbacks. Sushil Kumar Rinku, a sitting Lok Sabha MP, crossed over to the BJP despite being a party nominee, while former MP Dharamvir Gandhi, who had defeated Congress leader Perneet Kaur in 2014, returned to the Congress in April.
Ludhiana and Jalandhar witnessed a whirlwind of political defections in 2024, with municipal polls and by-elections becoming theatres of shifting loyalties. From overnight party switches to claims of coercion, the year underscored the fluid nature of Punjab’s political landscape.
Ludhiana: A game of scarves
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation elections showcased rapid-fire defections.
Jagdish Lal: Congress to AAP, back to Congress, and AAP again
Jagdish Lal, a councillor from Ward 6, set a record of sorts on December 26. Elected on a Congress ticket, he joined the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the afternoon, returned to Congress two hours later, and by 8 pm , rejoined AAP, posing with a party scarf alongside cabinet minister Laljit Singh Bhullar. “I am not under pressure. I am now with AAP,” Lal declared after the final switch, though his zigzagging drew sharp criticism.
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Chatarveer Singh: Allegations of abduction
On December 24, Chatarveer Singh, alias Kamal Arora, a councillor from Ward 20 elected on a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ticket, joined AAP past midnight. Days later, he returned to SAD, claiming he was “abducted” and forced to switch. The SAD accused AAP of using a false FIR filed against Singh to pressurise him, alleging a lack of ethics in the ruling party’s tactics.
Jalandhar: Seasoned defectors
Jalandhar’s political arena was no less dramatic, with seasoned leaders shifting allegiances.
Sushil Kumar Rinku: Congress to AAP to BJP
Rinku, a Congress loyalist for decades, switched to AAP during the 2023 Jalandhar by-election. Winning the seat as an AAP candidate, he joined the BJP within a year but lost the 2024 Lok Sabha election to Congress’ Charanjit Singh Channi. Rinku claimed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal personally invited him to AAP, citing the party’s lack of candidates for the bypoll.
Surjit Kaur: Two switches in a day
Surjit Kaur, a two-time councillor and SAD candidate for the Jalandhar Assembly bypoll, made headlines by joining AAP in July, only to return to SAD hours later. Initially disowned by SAD due to her links with a rebel faction, she later secured the party’s “takdi” symbol. However, her loyalties remained suspect after she supported an AAP candidate in the municipal polls. “I was coerced into joining AAP, but I remain Akali at heart,” Kaur said, highlighting her late husband’s close association with SAD stalwart Parkash Singh Badal.
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