A day after Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s former deputy speaker Bir Devinder Singh joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali), the newly-formed outfit on Wednesday got another shot in its arm with the former Indian Army chief (retired) General Joginder Jaswant Singh coming in its fold.

Gen Singh, who had unsuccessfully contested 2017 State Assembly elections against Capt Amarinder Singh from Patiala urban segment as SAD-BJP combine candidate, had recently bid adieu to the Shiromani Akali Dal, headed by Sukhbir Badal, about two months back citing personal reasons. He was heading the SAD’s ex-servicemen wing.

A former Arunachal Pradesh Governor, Gen Singh has joined the Akali Dal on the eve 2017 polls in his first political stint.

Gen Singh said that it was a mistake to join SAD after he became the member of the new outfit, which he described as the genuine Taksali party of Punjab.

“Both SAD and Congress are working hand-in-glove. They tried their best to ruin my status. SAD is a commercial party which has been running hotels and many more business in the State,” he said.

He joined the Taksali brigade in the presence of SAD (Taksali) president and Khadoor Sahib MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and senior vice-president Rattan Singh Ajnala. Brahmpura said that with the inclusion of Gen JJ Singh, his party has become stronger in Punjab.

Gen JJ Singh had already expressed his keenness to fight the coming Lok Sabha elections from Ferozepur constituency, the home seat of SAD president Sukhbir Badal.

The first Sikh officer to become the Army chief, Gen Singh has fought the 1965 and 1971 wars, apart from being among the architects of defeating Pakistani intruders in Kargil. He served as the 22nd Chief of the Indian Army from January 31, 2005, to September 30, 2007.

After joining SAD (Taksali) in Amritsar, Gen Singh accused the Capt Amarinder Government in Punjab of giving “safe passage” to the culprits of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and the police firing at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing incidents.