In a setback to the Shiromani Akali Dal, its lone legislator in Haryana, Balkaur Singh, joined the recently floated Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) on Sunday, its patron Ajay Singh Chautala said.
Balkaur Singh, the 50-year-old MLA from Kalanwali (SC) seat in Sirsa district, was presented with a JJP flag by Mr. Chautala while being welcomed to the outfit’s fold.
On the occasion, Mr. Singh said that he was always impressed with the ideals and principles of Ajay Chautala’s grandfather and former Deputy Prime Minister late Devi Lal
He said under the leadership of Ajay Chautala, the JJP, which was following the path shown by Devi Lal, has the vision to take the State forward.
Asserting that Mr. Singh had joined the outfit “unconditionally” Mr. Chautala said, “Balkaur ji is an epitome of simplicity and honesty.”
‘More would join JJP’
He claimed that there was a growing public support in JJP’s favour and more prominent people would be joining the outfit in the upcoming days.
Notably, the JJP came into existence a month ago following a split in the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), after a bitter power struggle between Ajay Chautala and Abhay Singh Chautala, the grandsons of Devi Lal who had founded the INLD.
Ajay Chautala, who is serving a 10-year jail term in connection with a teacher recruitment scam in Haryana in 2000, is currently out on parole.
In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, Mr. Singh was the lone SAD legislator, though he use to support the INLD on various issues.
Interestingly, Mr. Singh joined the JJP on Sunday afternoon, the same time when the SAD’s Haryana unit was holding a meeting here to draw up strategy in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.