Phoolka, known for representing victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, described his earlier association with the Aam Aadmi Party as a “mistake”
Phoolka joined the party at its headquarters in the presence of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh, Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar and chief spokesperson Anil Baluni.
New Delhi: Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka joined the BJP on Wednesday ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections next year, marking his return to active politics.
Phoolka, known for representing victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, described his earlier association with the Aam Aadmi Party as a “mistake” and said he believes the BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, can address issues such as law and order and drug abuse in Punjab.
“I have been fighting the fight for the 1984 riots (victims) for the last 40 years, and I have been supported by the BJP since then... I have fought my fight together with them. I have also done a lot of legal work for the BJP. I was with the AAP for three years from 2014-2017. But my close association has been with the BJP since the beginning... The situation is really bad in Punjab, extortion calls are being made, there is a law and order situation there, drugs menace and the land of Punjab is going to turn barren in 13-14 years. But the government is least bothered... So, I am returning to politics for Punjab. There was no better party than the BJP to return to,” he said.
He joined the party at its headquarters in the presence of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh, Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar and chief spokesperson Anil Baluni.
Welcoming him, Puri said his entry would strengthen the party’s efforts in Punjab, while Jakhar said his association reflected the BJP’s outreach to the Sikh community.
Phoolka said he had worked closely with BJP leaders including Madan Lal Khurana, Sushma Swaraj and Vijay Kumar Malhotra in pursuing cases related to the 1984 violence.
He had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana as an AAP candidate and later won the Dakha Assembly seat in 2017. He also served briefly as Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly before stepping down to pursue cases related to the 1984 violence.
Referring to his exit from AAP, he said, “In 2014, I thought that party (AAP) had come to change the country, given the anger against corruption. But after going inside, I realised things were different. It was a mistake to join them.”
He also criticised the Congress over the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, alleging it occurred during its rule and was part of a larger conspiracy.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Next Story