Boost for Punjab BJP: Joining of former AAP MLA and 1984 anti-Sikh riots crusader is seen as a shot in the arm for the BJP in the run-up to the 2027 assembly elections.
HS Phoolka joins BJP ahead of Punjab Assembly polls 2027
New Delhi: In a significant political development ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Harvinder Singh Phoolka joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday in New Delhi. The move marks his return to active politics after a gap of nearly seven years.
He was formally inducted into the party in the presence of senior BJP leaders, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, and party general secretary Tarun Chugh.
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Phoolka had stepped away from active politics after resigning as an AAP legislator in 2018. His latest move signals a comeback at a crucial time, as political parties begin preparations for the upcoming state elections in Punjab.
A senior advocate practicing in both the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court, Phoolka is widely known for his role in pursuing justice for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. His legal efforts over decades earned him national recognition as a prominent human rights lawyer.
Phoolka entered politics with the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014. He contested the Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana the same year but was defeated by Congress leader Ravneet Singh Bittu.
In the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, he won from the Dakha constituency, defeating Akali Dal leader Manpreet Singh Ayali. He later went on to serve as the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly.
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Phoolka resigned from his position as MLA in 2018, citing dissatisfaction with the handling of the 2015 sacrilege cases by the then Congress government. His decision marked a turning point in his political journey.
In December 2024, he briefly associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following internal organisational developments within the party.
Phoolka’s entry into the BJP is being viewed as a strategic gain for the party in Punjab. With his legal background and public image, his presence could influence the political narrative in the run-up to the 2027 Assembly elections.
