'AAP appointed you leader': Bhagwant Mann says ‘breach of trust’ as Phoolka set to return to active politics by joining BJP
Earlier, Phoolka had considered joining the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and in December 2024 had expressed support for strengthening a regional party in Punjab
Senior advocate and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Harvinder Singh Phoolka is set to formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday in Delhi, marking his return to active politics after several years.
Reacting to Phoolka’s move, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said although AAP had appointed Phoolka as Leader of Opposition in 2017, he later resigned from both the position and as Dakha MLA. Mann added, “I have never seen a person who breaches trust of those who elected him, ever win again in elections. But all the best to him.”
Phoolka, who resigned from AAP in 2019 to focus on legal cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has a long-standing reputation in human rights advocacy. He will submit his BJP membership at a ceremony attended by senior party leaders Sunil Jakhar and Ashwani Sharma, with supporters and representatives from the human rights community expected to be present.
Earlier, Phoolka had considered joining the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and in December 2024 had expressed support for strengthening a regional party in Punjab. That plan did not materialise, leading to his current alignment with the BJP.
Political analysts view Phoolka’s switch as a significant development ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. His legal experience and previous tenure as MLA are expected to bolster BJP’s political strategy in the state.
