Punjab BJP Vice-President Arvind Khanna Quits BJP, Rejoins Shiromani Akali Dal
In a significant political development in Punjab, Arvind Khanna, the vice-president of the state BJP unit and a former MLA, has resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party and rejoined the Shiromani Akali Dal. The move marks a return to the party where he began his political career, completing a full circle after multiple switches between major political factions in the state.
Khanna's Political Journey and Rejoining SAD
Khanna officially joined the Shiromani Akali Dal in Sangrur on Sunday, with SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal inducting him back into the party. Badal appointed Khanna as the constituency in-charge of Sangrur, the very seat that first elected him as an MLA in 2002 on a Congress ticket. Khanna described his return as a "homecoming" and stated it was the "demand of the people who wanted that regional party Shiromani Akali Dal should get strengthened."
His political trajectory is marked by several shifts:
- He started his career as the general secretary of the Youth Akali Dal.
- Joined the Congress in 1998 and was elected MLA from Sangrur in 2002.
- Re-elected as MLA from Dhuri in 2012 on a Congress ticket.
- Resigned as Dhuri MLA and from the Congress in 2015.
- Remained politically inactive before joining the BJP in January 2022, where he was appointed Punjab BJP vice-president.
- Contested unsuccessfully from Sangrur in the 2022 Punjab elections on a BJP ticket.
- Finished fourth in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Sangrur as a BJP candidate.
Khanna, an industrialist-turned-politician, is considered close to former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh from his time as Congress general secretary. He is also a close friend of Sukhbir Badal, who introduced him to politics.
Advocacy for SAD-BJP Alliance and Criticism of Rivals
After rejoining SAD, Khanna responded to media queries about a potential SAD-BJP alliance, emphasizing its importance for Punjab's welfare. "When I was there [in BJP] I advocated for the alliance, and when I am here [in SAD] I am for the alliance. The welfare of Punjab lies in the alliance between the two parties. Ask anyone in Punjab and they will say that there should be an alliance between SAD and BJP," he stated.
However, he clarified that the final decision rests with the top leadership of both parties, including SAD president Sukhbir Badal and BJP leaders. Taking a jibe at the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, Khanna asserted that only a regional party like the Akali Dal can effectively represent Punjab's interests with the Prime Minister. "SAD is not in the politics to please anyone – neither [Arvind] Kejriwal nor Rahul Gandhi. I am confident that PM wants the welfare of Punjab and until someone does not present the interests of Punjab properly, the same cannot be looked into," he added.
Badal's Response and Broader Political Implications
Sukhbir Badal welcomed Khanna's return, framing it as part of a larger political shift. "The storm which will throw out Delhi parties from Punjab has started today," Badal declared, referring to national parties like Congress and AAP. Alongside Khanna, Badal also welcomed several other BJP office-bearers, including a district president, into the SAD fold.
In response to Khanna's departure, Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma commented, "Every individual has the right to choose their political path." This move comes amid ongoing realignments in Punjab politics, with Khanna's switch highlighting the fluid loyalties and strategic calculations ahead of future elections.
The Sangrur constituency, central to Khanna's career, has seen varied outcomes recently. In the 2022 elections, Narinder Kaur Bharaj of AAP was elected as a first-time MLA from Sangrur. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, AAP candidate Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, the Barnala MLA, won the seat, while Khanna finished fourth as a BJP candidate.
Khanna's rejoining of SAD not only strengthens the party's presence in Sangrur but also signals potential efforts to revive the historically significant SAD-BJP alliance, which has been strained in recent years. His advocacy for such an alliance underscores ongoing negotiations and the complex dynamics of Punjab's political landscape, where regional and national interests often intersect.
