Former Congress leader and lok Hit Abhiyan chief Jagmeet Singh Brar on Thursday joined the All India Trinamool Congress, and was appointed as its interim State chief in Punjab.
The announcement was made by Trinamool Congress vice-president Mukul Roy, who said that TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee has reconstituted the Punjab unit of the party and appointed former MP Brar as its ad hoc president with immediate effect.
Brar, in his tweet, thanked Banerjee “for giving me this responsibility as part of our larger effort to forge a national alternative and work for grassroots”.
He had been expelled by the Congress in April after his repeated public outbursts against former Chief Minister and State party chief Capt Amarinder Singh.
In September, Brar had announced his “unconditional” support to Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab after forming an issue-based alliance with TMC.
Brar stated that he had been in touch with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the past few months and his recent decision to extend unconditional support to AAP in Punjab was a part of this initiative.
He said: “I had extended my unconditional support to AAP in Punjab after due consultation with Mamataji and my decision to join the TMC is also part of a larger initiative to build a national alternative — I will fight the Abdalis of Punjab with Kejriwal and the Tughlak of Delhi with Mamata ji.”
Clarifying his position on equation with AAP, Brar said: “Neither I nor any of my supporters had joined AAP…We had extended our complete support from the outside and had chosen not to join AAP formally to avoid any chance of confusion or insecurity among their cadre.”
“Our aim was and will remain the removal of Akalis and Congress from Punjab because until this disease is cured, the State cannot revive…We put Punjab first, and it will always remain first for us…We are not siyasi saudebaaz like some who have aligned to serve themselves…With full authority at my command, I am confirming that my supporters have joined the TMC with me and TMC will campaign and support AAP 101 per cent in 2017,” he said.
He added that a detailed campaign plan will be drawn up soon. “I will request Mamata ji to visit Punjab and campaign for AAP and
make the bond of nationalism and public service stronger between TMC and AAP,” he added.