14 august 2024 : In a setback to the Shiromani Akali Dal, two-time Banga MLA Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi joined the Aam Aadmi Party here on Wednesday in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Mann welcomed Sukhi into the party fold, saying he has always worked for the welfare of the downtrodden.

Senior AAP leader and its national general secretary Sandeep Pathak was also present.

Sukhi, who is a doctor by profession, first became MLA from the Banga Assembly seat in SBS Nagar district in the 2017. He was again elected as a legislator in the 2022 Assembly elections on a SAD ticket.

Sukhi was the leader of the SAD Legislative Party in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

This is a huge setback for the Akali Dal as it will now be left with only Ganeive Kaur Majithia as MLA from the Sukhbir Badal group. The third Akali MLA, Manpreet Ayali, is already with the rebel group of the Alkalis.

The SAD was caught unaware by Sukhi’s move as party sources said Sukhi had never shared any grievance with party leaders. Party spokesperson Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema said the SAD had made him party’s core committee member also. “He was given due respect in the party,” said Dr Cheema.

Dakha MLA and leader of SAD legislative Party, Manpreet Ayali, has Sukhi’s move to join AAP as a big blow to the Akali Dal. “This is shocking and a big blow at a time when the party is struggling already. This is high time the party leadership give attention to what the workers have been saying and demanding. We exist because of the Akali Dal and we need to strengthen it as per the wish of the workers.”