In a setback to the Shiromani Akali Dal, its lone legislator in Haryana, Balkaur Singh, joined the recently floated Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) on Sunday.
Balkaur, the 50-year-old MLA from Kalanwali (SC) seat in Sirsa district, was presented with a JJP flag by party’s patron Ajay Chautala while being welcomed to the outfit's fold.
The JJP had come into existence a month ago following a split in the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), after a bitter power struggle between Ajay Chautala and Abhay Singh Chautala, the grandsons of Devi Lal who had founded the INLD.
In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, Balkaur was the lone SAD legislator and was used to support the INLD on various issues.
Interestingly, Balkaur joined the JJP on Sunday afternoon, the same time when the SAD’s Haryana unit held a meeting here to draw up strategy in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state.
Balkaur said that he was always impressed with the ideals and principles of Ajay Chautala’s grandfather and former deputy Prime Minister late Devi Lal
Under the leadership of Ajay Chautala, the JJP, which is following the path shown by Devi Lal, has the vision to take the state forward, he said.
On the occasion, Ajay Chautala claimed that there is a growing public support in JJP's favour and more prominent people would be joining the outfit in the upcoming days.
Ajay Chautala, who is serving a 10-year jail term in connection with a teacher recruitment scam in Haryana, is currently out on parole.