SAD suffers major setback as Thandal switches allegiance to BJP

Hoshiarpur (The Uttam Hindu) : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has faced a significant loss with the defection of former minister and four-time MLA Sohan S. Thandal, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a ceremony attended by former Gujarat Chief Minister and Punjab party in-charge, Vijay Rupani. Thandal is expected to run for the Chabbewal (Reserved) Assembly bypoll, a position he was previously in line for with the SAD. However, due to uncertainties regarding the party's participation in the upcoming bypolls, he opted to switch to the BJP to secure his candidacy.

The BJP had been struggling to find a local candidate who could effectively connect with voters in the predominantly rural constituency. With Thandal’s entry, the BJP gains a new panthic face, which may bolster its appeal in the region. This move comes as the party sought to enhance its local representation ahead of the elections.

Interestingly, Thandal had not indicated any intention to leave the SAD, having attended the party’s core committee meeting just a day prior to his announcement. Before Thandal's decision, the BJP had considered former Minister of State Vijay Sampla or Dr. Dilbagh Rai as potential candidates for the Chabbewal seat.