Senior advocate and human rights activist Harwinder Singh Phoolka has announced his desire to join the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as soon as its new membership drive begins. Phoolka, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, is the first person to make such an announcement before the official campaign.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Phulka said, “I am waiting for the announcement that membership drive will be opened. I will join on day one. It is time to strengthen this regional party.”
Phoolka’s announcement follows Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh’s call on December 2 to reconstitute the SAD. A seven-member interim committee headed by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has been formed to oversee the membership drive for six months, after which the representative meeting will elect a new party president.
Phulka asked the SAD executive committee to officially appoint an interim committee, giving it full authority over the drive. “The Akal Takht decision has come as a new hope for those who want to revive the Akali Dal. I appeal to all volunteers to strengthen the party, whether they are still inside the party or have left it,” he said.
Known for leading the long legal battle for justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Phoolka has had a long political career. After joining AAP in 2013, he unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana but won the Dakha assembly seat in 2017. He served as the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly before resigning in 2018 due to the alleged inaction of the Ranjit Singh Commission. Unholy events.
Meanwhile, Gurpratap Singh Wadala, convener of Akali Dal Sudhar Lahar (a rebel faction), announced the disbandment of the group on Monday, responding to Akal Takht’s call for unity.
The seven-member committee formed by the Jathedar includes Dhami, former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, MLA Manpreet Singh Ayli and other prominent leaders. However, the SAD Executive Committee is yet to formally announce the appointment, delaying the official launch of the membership drive.
Phulka added, “I have joined AAP through online membership, and I will also join SAD to work as a servant.”