In a significant political shift ahead of the Tarn Taran Assembly bypoll, senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and three-time MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday. Sandhu’s move is seen as a setback for the Opposition SAD, especially with him emerging as a strong contender for the AAP ticket in the bypoll, which was necessitated by the death of sitting AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal.
Sandhu, who first won the Tarn Taran seat as an Independent in 2002, later represented the constituency in 2007 and 2012 on an SAD ticket. Although he lost in the last two elections, his political influence in the region remains considerable.
He was formally inducted into AAP in Chandigarh in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia, along with other senior party leaders.
Speaking to the media, Sandhu said his decision was motivated by the AAP government’s transparent governance and firm stance on key issues like sacrilege. “Circumstances have changed, and I am inspired by the Mann government’s policies and intentions,” he said.
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