SAD MLA Sukhwinder Sukhi joins AAP in Punjab: CM Bhagwant Mann says he embodies ideals of Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar
Sukhwinder Sukhi's entry is a shot in the arm for the AAP, while it is another setback for the beleaguered SAD, which now has only two MLAs in the Punjab Assembly.
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CM Bhagwant Mann inducts Dr Sukhwinder Sukhi in AAP.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received a boost in Punjab as Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi joined it in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and national general secretary Dr Sandeep Pathak in Chandigarh on Wednesday.
Sukhi is a two-time MLA from the Banga Assembly constituency and served as the deputy leader of the SAD Legislative Party. Upon welcoming him into the AAP fold, Mann expressed his delight, saying that Sukhi followed Dr B R Ambedkar’s ideology. Mann noted that he had observed Sukhi advocating for the issues of the oppressed in the Assembly. He said he would leverage Sukhi’s experience to strengthen the party.
“After assuming state leadership, I decided that government offices would display pictures of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dr B R Ambedkar instead of the chief minister. I am pleased that Dr Sukhi embodies the ideals of both these icons,” said Mann.
Sukhi thanked Mann and Pathak for welcoming him into the AAP fold despite having 92 MLAs in the House of 117 members. “I am now honoured that I will be a soldier of AAP. I am from the constituency that has Bhagat Singh’s native land. I had the opportunity to work with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Kanshi Ram. I was impressed with the CM as he had agreed to set up a medical college in my area. I was impressed with him when he shifted a Naib Tehsildar when I raised the issue of his corruption with the CM,” said Sukhi.
A practising doctor and considered a gentleman politician, Sukhi stated that he would abide by the law regarding resignation from the Assembly after he switched to the AAP.
On why he quit the SAD, he said, “I have no problem with SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Since I became MLA, I have always been in the Opposition party. I am concerned about the people of my constituency. CM sahib has promised he will make my constituency number one.”
Sukhi’s resignation from the SAD is a setback for the Panthic party, which has already been pushed to the fringes and recently split into two factions. The party has only two MLAs now. His resignation from the Assembly will pave the way for another bypoll in Punjab, already facing four other bypolls.
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