JALANDHAR: Pawan Teenu, a two-time former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA, joined AAP on Sunday and was tipped for Jalandhar LS ticket. AAP has been looking for a Jalandhar candidate after sitting MP Sushil Rinku recently switched to BJP in spite of being renominated. BJP announced Rinku as its Jalandhar candidate soon after.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann welcomed Teenu, who was SAD core committee member and spokesperson, into AAP. "There is insecurity among (SAD) workers...they can't win. Now, the people of Punjab do not have faith in Akali Dal," Teenu said. Gurcharan Singh Channi, another senior SAD leader, joined AAP along with Teenu.
The desertions of Rinku, who joined BJP along with MLA Sheetal Angural, had led to calls within AAP that old members be given tickets. However, AAP wanted a prominent face for Jalandhar and Teenu may just fit the bill. Teenu's likely Jalandhar nomination would present a bizarre picture - BJP and AAP fielding defectors from either side .
IP Singh is Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India. He cov...
Read MoreIP Singh is Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India. He covers news in Jalandhar and neighbouring districts, and writes on politics, contemporary trends, Punjabi diaspora and heritage preservation. He specializes in deciphering religio-political peculiarities and complexities of Punjab. His hobbies include reading up on a variety of subjects.
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