In a dramatic turn of events just a day after the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural has requested the Vidhan Sabha to withdraw his resignation as the member of the state legislative assembly. Angural, who was elected to the Vidhan Sabha on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ticket, had initially quit his position and the party two months back, joining the BJP on March 27 along with party’s MP from Jalandhar Sushil Kumar Rinku.
Confirming the development, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Sunday said that he had received a letter from Angural requesting the withdrawal of his resignation. Speaker Sandhwan mentioned that a decision on Angural’s request would be taken at a later time. The move has stirred significant political ripples, especially with the anti-defection law potentially coming into play due to Angural’s resignation from the AAP.
The timing of Angural’s request coincides with the conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections, which saw a multi-cornered contest in Jalandhar on June 1. Candidates from major parties included Congress’s Charanjit Singh Channi, BJP’s Sushil Kumar Rinku, AAP’s Pawan Kumar Tinu, and SAD’s Mohinder Singh Kaypee.
When Angural switched to the BJP, he cited dissatisfaction with the AAP. His defection was further complicated by a controversy involving his connection to Manish alias Mani Thakur, alleged to be a kingpin of a UK-based drug cartel busted by Jalandhar police in March. Angural defended his association, stating that Thakur had assisted him in his 2022 election campaign but had moved abroad 10 months prior.
Angural’s political career has been marred by numerous legal troubles. He has faced allegations of gambling, kidnapping, wrongful confinement of a minor, and violations of the Excise Act, Arms Act, and IT Act across various police stations in Jalandhar and Dera Bassi. Notably, in January, he was acquitted of kidnapping charges dating back to 2020, and in December of the previous year, he was cleared in a gambling case. He was accused of kidnapping and assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
In his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission before the 2022 Assembly polls, Angural said that there were nine FIRs against him, with cases registered under Indian Penal Code section 420 (cheating) and the Arms Act.
Angural's letter to the Assembly Speaker emphasized the potential financial burden on the government if bye-elections were held for the Jalandhar West constituency due to his resignation. He expressed his intention to prevent additional election expenses, hence his desire to retract his resignation. Angural has not made any public statements regarding his request, but his recent actions on social media suggest a shift in stance. He removed ‘Modi ka Parivar’ reference from his accounts, while his brother, Rajan Angural, posted in support of the BJP with slogans such as ‘Jai BJP and Tay BJP’.
Angural was the main complainant in the ‘Operation Lotus’ case that shook Punjab's political landscape. About two and a half years ago, Angural, along with AAP MLA Raman Arora, had filed statements in the Operation Lotus case, registering cases at Mohali police station. AAP Government had handed over the investigation into the allegation to the state Vigilance Bureau. However, no significant facts have come to light till now that could implicate anyone in the case. After joining the BJP, Angural had stated that he would soon unveil the truth behind the Operation Lotus case.
